Grace is an accomplished poet who has participated in past Communitas Art and Poetry shows with her thoughtful poetry. She penned this amazing poem that reminds us that nothing, not even a pandemic, can rob us of the true meaning of Christmas!

Grace is an accomplished poet who has participated in past Communitas Art and Poetry shows with her thoughtful poetry. She penned this amazing poem that reminds us that nothing, not even a pandemic, can rob us of the true meaning of Christmas!

 Christmas

 Christmas is here, the lights are all out

Mothers are baking as kids laugh and shout

Shoppers are shopping, they rush to and fro

Packages wrapped, tied up with a bow

 

Temperature’s dipping, the rains start to fall

Carols are playing as we deck the hall

Lampposts bedecked the park has a tree

It’s Hallmark Christmas non stop on tv

 

Churches are filming their programs with care

The meaning of Christmas with others to share

Phones are all ringing, cards have been mailed

Gifts are delivered, a taxis’ been hailed

 

Somewhere amongst this bustle and cheer

Something is different, a darkness is near

COVID 19 is its frightening name

Early last spring to our country came

 

Killing thousands, sickening more

Leaving our hearts all tender and sore

It means no parties, gatherings or meets

No going to concerts or saving of seats

 

Houses are empty, tables are bare

Of those missing we’re all too aware

No more cuddles, kisses and hugs

No more sharing of fun Christmas mugs

 

We must stay distanced, 6 feet apart

No matter how close we are in our heart

The doctors have spoken, the order has come

Tomfoolery to others and wisdom to some

 

There has been anger, tempers have flared

Words have been spoken, others just stared

Trying to find our place and our role

During a lockdown not in our control

 

We question, we wonder: why here, why now?

As scientists search for the when and the how

We look for sense where none can be found

And forget to look at the world all around

 

Our world is different, new and so strange

Our lives we must now, with care, rearrange

Yet Hope, Joy, Peace and Love are still here

Christ still came and loves us all dear

 

Hands are still helping, friends are still there

Neighbours still checking to see how you fair

People are serving, helping the weak

Still giving meals to all those who seek

 

Pastors are preaching, carols still sung

Christmas trees lighted, stockings still hung

On zoom we can see our families and friends

On Messenger be part of chats without ends

 

So if we’d stop and take a good glance

If we’d give this Christmas a chance

We’d see that it has not gone away

It is, in fact, here, now, to stay

 

For one distant night a baby came down

Destined to wear the ultimate crown

No illness can kill him, no law make him stop

No mask keep him covered, His plans never flop

 

He can’t be canceled, ruined, undone

You can’t postpone God’s only Son

He is our Hope, our Joy, and Love

Our Prince of Peace sent from above

 

Born to teach, to reach and to die

Then three days in a tomb to lie

Born to carry the sins of earth

Born to give a chance for rebirth

 

He knows loneliness, boredom and pain

Knows what it is to want peace again

He knows what distance and sadness is like

The gut wrenching shock of feeling a strike

 

He’s crying too, that the world isn’t right

He wants to be our bright shining light

In his arms we all can be held

No matter the sight our eyes have beheld

 

He’s just waiting for you to say yes

Give him your all, no more and no less

Will you accept Him this Christmas season,

Let Him be your holiday’s reason?

 

Will you accept the love he does give

Let Him change the way that you live?

Focus your eyes on a star and a manger

Rather than our world full of danger?

 

Give Him COVID, let worries go

Surrender to God who loves you so?

If you do I promise you’ll find

A hope that leaves all others behind

 

Merry Christmas to those near and far

Cherished and valued wherever you are

A happy new year I pray for you

Filled with Joy and God’s love too

 

 

 

Grace Robertson

December 2020