AT CHRISTMAS

A man is at his finest

towards the finish of the year;

He is almost what he should be

when the Christmas season is here;

Then he’s thinking more of others

than he’s thought the months before,

And the laughter of his children

is a joy worth toiling for.

He is less a selfish creature than

at any other time;

When the Christmas spirit rules him

he comes close to the sublime.

When it’s Christmas man is bigger

and is better in his part; He is keener for the service

that is prompted by the heart.

All the petty thoughts and narrow

seem to vanish for awhile And the true reward he’s seeking

is the glory of a smile. Then for others he is toiling and

somehow it seems to me That at Christmas he is almost

what God wanted him to be.

If I had to paint a picture of a man

I think I’d wait Till he’d fought his selfish battles

and had put aside his hate. I’d not catch him at his labors

when his thoughts are all of pelf,

On the long days and the dreary

when he’s striving for himself.

I’d not take him when he’s sneering,

when he’s scornful or depressed,

But I’d look for him at Christmas

when he’s shining at his best.

Man is ever in a struggle

and he’s oft misunderstood;

There are days the worst that’s in him

is the master of the good,

But at Christmas kindness rules him

and he puts himself aside

And his petty hates are vanquished

and his heart is opened wide.

Oh, I don’t know how to say it,

but somehow it seems to me

That at Christmas man is almost

what God sent him here to be.

Edgar Guest

I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas holiday, enjoy your family friends and set aside your judgement and scorn. Be what was meant of you and pass along that spirit of giving without receiving, the helping without recognition. Getting to be the person we are meant to be if only for a day!

Merry “Christ”mas to you all!