Frank J. Montoya

THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

The traditions of Christmas have changed much thru the ages.
Not a bit like it was on the night those three sages,
To find the Savior of Man, had traveled so far.
To a village they were guided by that bright Eastern Star.

There they found him, The Child, in a crib filled with hay.
And the presents they brought we recall to this day.
Frankincense and Gold, so precious, and Myrrh;
Were they gifts rare, and of value? They certainly were.

The first Santa was St Nicholas, who as legends relate,
Knew three young pretty maidens who bewailed of their fate.
They all wished to be married, but of dowry had none.
To each he gave a golden ball; the weddings were soon done.

Now gifts are brought by Santa Claus, a fat old jolly soul
Who, with elves and Mrs. Santa, lives way up at the North Pole.
On Christmas Eve, upon his sleigh, he loads a lot of toys,
And takes them round the world to good little girls and boys.

The giving of gifts still goes on to this day.
But we observe that tradition in a much different way.
Today it’s clothing, or games, a tool set, a ring.
What can you get for that someone who has everything?

The right gift can be found; don’t look far, don’t look wide.
It can be in your heart if you’ll just look inside.
Many good things are free, the moon and stars up above,
But the best gift of all is friendship and love.

Christmas is the happiest time of the year.
The world’s full of laughter, full of hope, joy and cheer.
So rejoice, but remember what this day was meant to be:
The day our Lord came down to earth to save both you and me.

Submitted for the December 2001 IWVPA Club Theme Project, “A Memorable Christmas”