The "Bestest" Christmas

It would be the “bestest” Christmas if for just one Christmas Day

All the kids were coming home and overnight to stay

The big tree in the parlour would be decked in red and green

And little faces peering out from its bottom could be seen.

The big ones round a roaring fire could be heard telling stories

To the little ones who listened rapt to snowmen, elves, and fairies

We all could string popcorn on the big, old-fashioned tree

And the smaller ones would gather all the candy canes with glee.

I, dressed in my apron, would be stirring gravy brown

And friends would drop in briefly for a visit from the town

We’d serve them rum and eggnog and then go on the sleigh

And they’d leave us with a friendly wave on this special Christmas day.

The children wrapped in coats and scarves and mitts and mufflers too

Would never feel the cold as o’er the icy roads we flew

The horses both would stamp their feet to keep the cold at bay

And trundle back into the barn for corn, barley and sweet hay.

Then in the big house we would sit together for a prayer

And thank the Lord for all the festive food that we had there

For the wooden table would groan with the weight of the turkey platter

And tummies would be bursting when we’d all feel a little fatter.

Some would snooze then later as we sat with apple cider, still

And listen to the music with which the house would fill

We’d watch one little grand child sit to play a soft, sweet “Silent Night”

And I would sit content with all heads near and feel joy at the sight.

Oh, for just one such old-fashioned Christmas, my heart does burn and swell

And if I ever live to see the like of it, I’ll tell

The world about my story of the “bestest” Christmas yet

For dear hearts I ask you now, what better present could I get?

cailin raine