Last night I started thinking

What Christmas means to me

And in my deep pondering

I found these things to be.

It wasn't the excitement

The rushing to and fro

Nor was it all the buying

That made my spirit glow.

It wasn't all the tinsel

Nor lighted Christmas trees

Carols, music, ringing bells

That brought me ecstasies.

It wasn't burning candles

Nor wreaths and mistletoe

And sealed up pretty bundles

All tied with fancy bows.

It wasn't stockings hanging

From off the mantelpiece

Nor happy children laughing

That brought me inner peace.

But just the though of Christmas

A manger drab and poor

With little baby Jesus

Hold much for me in store.

A star shone from the heavens

That cold and wintry night

Where wise men and poor shepherds

Walked on beneath its light.

Yes, Christmas has a meaning

To me and others, too

Beyond the joy of giving

A meaning deep and true.

Gertrude Rudberg