There were days in childhood,
A time long since past...
Christmas was an exciting time,
One we prayed would last.

We dreamed of Santa,
with our toy list, oh, so long,
And the melodies of the season
Filled our hearts with song.

The Christmas tree was awesome,
Assembled in glad array,
The glistening lights reminded us
Of the coming Christmas Day.

And then came the presents,
Wrapped all so fine,
Neatly placed under the tree,
I just knew they were all mine!

You had to be there then,
To feel the joy and spirit,
The closeness of the family,
Our laughter; don't you hear it?

Then on Christmas Eve,
To church we all would go.
It was filled with bustling people,
Filling every row.

With O Come All Ye Faithful
And strains of Silent Night,
The songs were ever so familiar...
"Remember the words?"
Sing them right.

Back home we raced,
To sleep as fast as we could,
Waiting for morning;
"Yes, Santa, I've been good."

How could he do it?
Getting in and getting out,
I'm sure we were listening
For his moving all about.

Just the same, he came there,
With presents and stockings filled,
"No kid without a Christmas,"
And our parents would be billed.

And dinner was always special,
With smells of baking ham....
There was nothing ever omitted,
Not even candied yams.

We weren't from Walton's Mountain,
And though meager were our means,
Everything was always so perfect,
Or at least, so it seems.

I thank God for these times
Of youth and family.
I hope you don't mind the sentiments,
Because these are...my memories.

May this Christmas bring back
The happy memories of your past,
And give you special new ones,
Ones that will always last.

~~ By Jerry Rockensuess ~~