The Greatest Gift

Everyone gathered, young and old,

Around the Christmas tree topped by a star of gold.

Smiles spread across faces; the air was light and warm,

For it was many years ago the Blessed Babe was born.

Content with what they had heard,

They could now rest assured

That peace and goodwill toward all men

Would prosper as long as love would never end.

It seemed the snow falling gracefully had a way

To bring magic to this wondrous day.

The family thought of all the years all had cared

As those happy and sad memories they shared.

As the little children opened their gifts,

Oh, how high the spirit within lifts.

All those happy years seemed from other lands

As the little boy held the picture in his hands.

“Mommy?” he asked. “What happened here?

Where are all the people who shared in that cheer?”

“Oh, dear child of mine,

Sadly, things have changed with time.

All the elders are long gone,

And all the children have grown and moved on.

The winters have become so cold,

And Grandma’s little cottage was sold.

All the decorations were taken down,

And family has moved out of town.

I know things are not the same,

But one very important thing does remain:

The Greatest Gift, the Child of Love,

The Divine Savior from the Lord up above.”