St Peters RC Church Hamilton

Cards which are sent in abundance annually,

Do they carry a clear message?

Using words and pictures

They become like seasonal fixtures.

So what do they regularly display?

What scenes steal the day?

Lettering can be a fine artistry.

Pictures create images which can be imaginary.

Holly, mistletoe, ivy and trimmings,

Baubles hanging decoratively, often on a tree,

Shimmering, shining, glistening and glinting.

Father Christmas and crackers delighting children,

Penguins somewhat mysteriously, although I suppose

They do inhabit a world fully icy.

Birds in trees, robins ever the favourite

Many messages sending warm greetings.

All of these are nostalgic for Christmas

Are there more which are symbolic, being realistic?

Having seen cards wishing ‘Twinkling Tidings’,

Or those speaking of a December festival being a ‘Winter Wonder’

But only showing trees in the forest,

Where oh where, is the point to the season?

Why not portray the actual reason,

God come to earth in a Baby’s birth.

Nothing could be more wondrous than this.

Come on artists, get painting appropriately,

Depicting Mary with her Baby, Joseph helping,

Shepherds watching whilst angels are singing.

Let the message be sending greetings of love,

With the warmest wishes for Christmas.

For all true love, that which is faithful and ever true,

Beneficial to me and to you, blessings all through,

Let us focus on the birth of the Lord Jesus,

The very meaning at the heart of Christmas.

All else is secondary however lovely,

Christmas as a reality is a time most holy.

Yes, it is good to be merry and bright,

But let us not overlook that most holy night,

When a miracle occurred to change our history.

Perhaps an artist can paint the Nativity Mystery.

Lord God, throughout this Christmas season and beyond, may all people be blessed with the sure and certain happiness of worshipping You through the wonder of, the miracle of Your Son born to us. All believers rejoice at the arrival of Christ Jesus, bringing peace and goodwill to everybody, thank You! Amen.