These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Christmas Still Shines

The lights of Christmas still they shine
in the room, and in my heart.
What colorful glow, they cheer so fine
from new year's pleasant start!

Four colors in the beauteous strand
do lift my spirits now.
Four corners of the Earth by Plan
will one day 'fore Christ bow.
(Philippians 2:5-11)

The music of the season fills
the room with Christmas Joy.
The two in tandem always thrill
my heart without alloy.

Aromas of the season, best
bring back my memories
of a joyful child, so daily blest
in playfulness most free.

The orange peels, and cinnamon spice
make my nose as light as air.
I close my eyes and breathe in thrice
to smile without a care.

The bark of pine a fragrant gift
to make the tree more real.
The pleasant scent my soul doth lift,
and emotions fully heal.

But all the things are merely signs
along the road, called Grace,
for Christ, the Lord, the Best of wines
was born to take my place.

"I'll honor Christmas in my heart,
and keep it all the year.
I'll live the Present, Past, the start,
and Future, now, so clear.

"The Spirits of all Three befriend
as they, now, drive me on.
I will not deaf ears them attend,
and lessons learn anon."

The glow of Christmas still it shines
for Christ has come to save,
restores my soul, erases lines,
expunges writ of grave.

I think of Christmas every day,
and often every night
for "Christ is Lord" let my lips say.
My heart doth hold Him tight.

This precious Lord has come for me,
and Christmas is the peg
to hang my hat, and daily see
He drank the latest dregs.

Yet, Secret Christmas, tandem love,
it thrills the deepest place
within my heart for Christ Above
did die to Sin erase.

At Secret Christmas, we do find
a thought in Mercy's grip,
"The best of Presents, and so kind
begins the lasting trip.
'Twas Hope for which we always pined.
'Twas cry upon each lip.
'Pon greatest Gift, we e'er shall dine,
which left the shroud of strips."

The greatest Truth we all must know
is that the two are joined.
This Christmas with its wondrous glow,
and Secret Christmas coined.

For Christmas with no empty tomb
would have no value, rare,
but with no Child from a virgin's womb,
it's just a cave out there.

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"The best present of Christmas
is opened on Resurrection Sunday."
(Secret Christmas)

https://secret777christmas.wordpress.com/2014/04/20/secret-christmas-easter-morn...

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“I will honour Christmas in my heart,
and try to keep it all the year.
I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future.
The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.
I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.”

― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/494832-i-will-honour-christmas-in-my-heart-and-...
(Outside of The Bible, this is my favorite Christmas quote. JOT)

by Jay O'Toole
on January 8th, 2021