Christmas Time Again

 

 

A little less heat

In the day and in the night,

And as though on cue, the appearing

Of Christmas lights.

 

The yellows and blues

From our Independence

With the reds, greens and orange

Oh, what resplendence!

 

Twinkling in radiance

Both day and night

And to both the young and old

Bringing much delight.

 

Some started counting

From January 2024,

And the time flew by so quickly

It wasn’t a bore.

 

 

Just a few months ago

Twenty-twenty-four began,

At least, that is how it presently feels,

Given how the time ran.

 

And now it’s Christmas,

It’s upon us again

With its chilly nights, hectic days

And unseasonal rain.

 

There is a hue and a cry

About times being rough

And the forecast for Christmas says

It most likely will be tough.

 

We’ve had a hard year

Trying to make ends meet

And there’s not much in the kitty

For Christmas treats.

 

But the call still goes out

Regarding the needy,

Look out for that familiar red kettle

And give generously.

 

 

Not that tea kettle

That’s sitting on your stove

But that of the Salvation Army

Today as you rove.

 

The poor is ever with us

The words of the Master,

Help someone this Christmas tide

With what you can muster.

 

Opportunity, I perceive,

Is what Jesus meant,

To give help as he abundantly did

When from heaven sent.

 

Christmas time again,

The season of goodwill,

A time of love and hope and grace

And seeking hearts, fill.

 

Of the many carols

And hymns of the nativity,

Of him who came down at Christmas

To save such as you and me.

 

We celebrate his coming

Into our world of sin

And we commemorate this event

That drew us back to him.

 

 

Such blessed assurance!

Such redeeming grace!

That gives us the hope of one day

Looking on his face.

 

A time of celebration!

It’s Christmas time again

When we give unlike all year round

And sing the joyous strains.

 

Hark, hear the angels sing,

O come all ye faithful,

To a little town in Bethlehem

Come all ye people!

 

A king for all:

Both the rich and poor!

The life the light the way the truth

And the eternal door.

 

Let this Christmas time

Speak to your heart

And don’t wait for January 1^st

To press restart.

 

Stewart Russell © December 4, 2024

 

The End of January

 

 

The end of January

Already!

The pace is hot

And steady!

 

The end of January

2024, not 2023,

Can you imagine it would finish

So quickly?

 

What you must do,

Better do it quick!

Procrastination

Is not a good tip.

 

Just out of Christmas,

Celebrated the New year

And believe it or not,

’24 is an old year.

 

 

Some believe

The days are shortened,

Just as in the Bible it says

This would happen.

 

A day is still 24 hours

No less and no more,

The days are no shorter

Of this, I am sure.

 

It is, as you can see,

There is more to do,

So much to cram in a day

And this is my view.

 

Days being shortened

Did not apply to us

And it was not a literal day,

No need to fuss.

 

 

It was a time period

Of exceeding trouble

That was prophesied by Jesus

To fall on Israel.

 

And it came to pass

Just as Jesus said

Way back in the first century

And they are all dead.

 

Nothing about today

And the speed of time,

This is merely a perception

Playing on our mind.

 

Plan a little more

And be more organized

Is the best we can do

On this wise.

 

 

The end of January!

2024, not 2023,

Can you imagine it would finish

So quickly?

 

Stewart Russell © January 31, 2024