The True Meaning

(Here is a pic of my beautiful mom and kids in 2004, just as mom started getting sick)

So, it's that time of year when I start going crazy with all the shopping/projects/wrapping that needs to be done. It's also right about now when I think of my mother and how she captured these feelings so perfectly back in the 1970's. She wrote a poem when I was a young girl and it became family tradition to recite this poem every Christmas Eve, before bed.

I can remember my first Christmas in Utah, 10 years ago, after moving away from my family in Missouri. I was so sad that Christmas Eve to be away from my parents. I was so sad to be away from my mom and not hear her recite her poem. My husband, on the other hand, was very clever and thoughtful. After our Christmas Eve family scripture reading of Christ's birth, he hit the speaker button on the phone and there was my sweet mother, her voice ringing loud and clear, reciting her beautiful Christmas poem. My tears, that had been streaming for some time, turned from sadness to utter joy.

Even though my dear mother has passed on, it is still tradition to read her poem each Christmas Eve and it has more meaning than ever. I want to share her poem with you. I hope you will cherish it, as I do. This is the reason I celebrate! I love my Savior so very much. He gives me love, hope and strength. Because of His atoning sacrifice, I can return to be with Him and I look forward with anticipation to the day I can be reunited with my dearest parents.

The True Meaning of Christmas

The true meaning of Christmas, oh where can it be?
In the beautiful wrapped presents under the tree?
In the mounds of goodies we bake every year?
And then come the pounds we all seem to fear.

At times I forget what it’s all about.
In the hustle and bustle I just want to shout.
Give me more time! I need some more money!
At times I forget about my sweet honey.

Surely there’s more meaning to all of this rush.
I feel ashamed, I even blush,
To think that the true meaning of Christmas is pushed back,
To thinking of Santa unloading his pack.

Oh, there’s room for Santa and the spirit of sharing,
We need peace in our hearts in giving and caring.
The music so beautifully put down by pen, of
“Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards Men.”

A time to remember Jesus Christ,
How on the cross He paid the price.
He died to save us from our sins
And how much credit do we give to Him?

The true meaning of Christmas, oh where does it lay?
With baby Jesus, upon the hay.
The wise men came and followed the star.
The story’s been told both near and far.

A King is born and the Heavenly hosts shouted!
As the angels looked, nobody doubted.
A Savior is born, a day to remember.
And now we celebrate in December.

Kaye Harris