A Harried Mother's Christmas Wish

It’s two weeks before Christmas and all through my place

All the creatures are stirring and lacking all grace.

Their list of demands hang ’round my neck like a weight

I know I’ll not finish before it’s too late.





But I try like a fool when kids crash for the night

To catch up with my life while I think, “Scrooge was right!”





I’ve got too much to do, all this Christmas preparation!

All this energy spent for one day’s celebration!

All the planning, the baking, the cooking, the shopping!

Some years how I wish I’d find it all stopping!





For I fear in the hustle we lose sight of the manger

And the One who once lay there is to us a Stranger.

If I focus on cookies, on cards and on toys

I’ll not see my Saviour who comes without noise.





In my hurry to love others, to see that they’re blessed,

Do I give them a reason to look at God’s Best?

Do I push them toward Jesus or shove them away

As I try meeting their wants for a great Christmas Day?





I think this year I’ll quit. Or, at least, I’ll cut back

Fewer trinkets, maybe; but in love we won’t lack.

And maybe in two weeks, when I settle my brain

For a long summer’s nap, I’ll still be quite sane.





And when I arise on that bright Christmas morn,

I’ll know in my heart Christ truly was born

To take away sin, to make us new men

To give us a reason to hope once again.





And to all around, I’ll be able to sing:

"Praise to Jesus, the Saviour, the greatest of Kings.”


Copyright (c) 2000 by Helen Widger Middlebrooke.
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