Christmas Memories (Unedited)

The chilly evenings, evergreens and blustery winter breeze

The ice and snow and sleet combined that make you want to freeze

The Christmas trees, the ornaments, the egg-nog in a bowl

The stockings overflowed with gifts, the stockings filled with coal

Ol’ Saint Nick, Frosty too, and Rudolph’s nose so bright

Carolers on porches proudly singing Silent Night

Lights on houses; blue and green, yellow, also red

And Jesus sleeping cozy in His little manger bed

The spreads of food, the families bunched, the friends of past who call

The scissors, tape and wrapping gifts, the crowds that fill the mall

The Deck The Halls on radios, the snowballs thrown for fun

The grandpas with the children while the family tales are spun

The wondering, the snooping, the hunt for hidden things

The smells that burst from kitchens that are boasting cherry rings

The grandmas bringing presents, vacations closing stores

The little needles from the trees covering the floors

The four-course meals, the peaceful naps, the games that children play

The restless reindeer night-patrols preceding Christmas day

The aunts that bring the trays of food and church on Christmas Eve

The cousins with the brand new toys that never want to leave

The afghan grandma weaved, those corny Underoos

The Christmas lights around the house; the ones that blew the fuse

The choo-choos for the kiddies, the fires burning logs

The biscuits wrapped with bows - the presents bought for dogs

The catalogues, the moms and dads that form those elve-like teams

The milk and cookies halfway gone that boosts their children’s dreams

The endless streams of gifts that flood from house to house to house

The parents up on Christmas Eve as silent as a mouse

The special treats for spouses, the candles that enchant

The everlasting spheres of love that parents can implant

The angels on the mantle, the stockings underneath

The goofy faces children make with candy-canes for teeth

The wreaths all decorated, the popcorn on the trees

Nothing ever warms my soul like Christmas memories…