I'm a stickler for tradition and a favourite from my childhood was being read the classic story "Twas the Night before Christmas" by my Mum on Christmas Eve. This is my adult adaptation. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Twas a couple of weeks before Christmas, yes it's that time of year
When you're required to search for an extra gear
With so much to do and so little time to be found
Christmas carols are a very unwelcome sound
With kids all on holiday but parents not at all
Forced to spend many an hour at the mall
Desperate attempts to keep the young ones out of trouble
Time to pour a gin, better make it a double!
Decorations are everywhere as if we wouldn't remember,
They've been a presence in our lives since mid November
And now we're halfway through advent it seems bizarre
All of a sudden it's not actually that far
Work places are frantic with the explosion of sales
Desperately trying to silence stressed customers wails
Everywhere is crowded and everywhere is tense
They call it the jolly season which seems to make no sense
There'll be relatives arriving any day it could be
Mum is annoyed she has to keep tidying up after me
Each bedroom is now so willingly shared
With sleeping companions very carefully paired
The whole event seems like a giant inconvenience
With cheeky young things trying to feign obedience
Justifying excessive spending and a gross consumption of food
The kilos and empty pockets making for a less than festive mood
Yet amongst all the stress there remains some hope I think
If you look past the presents, the food and the drink
The spirit of Christmas can indeed be found
It may not be everywhere but it is all around
You can find it right outside your door if you look very close
A card from an old friend waiting in the post
Although it's sad it takes Christmas to spur the reconnection
It doesn't take away from the display of affection
Extravagant presents can be a distraction from the day
But gift giving itself can still something positive say
People who take the time and put in a lot of thought
And present presents that really cannot be bought
Families today come in every shape imaginable
For some the post-card Christmas is simply just not tangible
They've gone through tough times as many have this year
And would desperately love to be able to feel full of cheer
For me the magic of Christmas is what makes it unique
The anticipation in the air and tempting secrets to leak
It exposes many of our flaws, it's true
But it often brings about the best in us too
Generosity to those who don't have much
Donations, charity giving, kind words and such
We reflect on the goings on in the year that has been
People met, places visited and those still to be seen
You and I know the Christmas story
How it is the story Jesus in all his glory
And in people like you I see the message living on
Particularly when we praise him in prayer and in song
I pray for you to enjoy good company and for those who aren't there
I pray for your wellbeing and those in your care
I pray that you're all where you're meant to be
And wish a Merry Christmas to you from me
There it is – and wishing you a safe and happy holiday season with the people you care about.
Helen McIntosh is a 20 year old trying to create more than she consumes. Writing is a way of banishing any circulating thoughts to make way for the new.
Helen McIntosh previous articles may be viewed at
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