This Is Christmas

This is the time of year, to remember those that once were here,
But now there not, to remember our nearest & dearest
But most of all those that have gone.

Papa loved Christmas, he'd prepare well in advance
He'd make a beautiful grotto, with Jesus in a manger,
Mary and Joseph standing by.
One had see to believe it, how beautiful it was
The artist in him, he was a great sculptor...he made everything in it,
From the figures to the baubles, the shepherds, the three wise kings,
The glitter scattered here and there, for a child it was an amazing sight.
On the Christmas morning, there was Mama, Papa and Us gathered

Round the Christmas tree, each and everyone,  chin, chinning  each other
With much merriment, he had a habit of bringing a little fire water,
That's how we started our morning, fire water for the adults
Just to keep the fire in their bellies, honey liquor for the little ones 
And an orange segmented, the orange was a sweetener, so we didn't grim faces.
All was welcome each and everyone, no one went hungry
Those who knocked on our door, the stories they use to tell
That was so much fun, the jokes Papa came out with,

Had everyone ringing with peals of laughter, the madness was such,
Laughing from ear, to ear to ear, we laughed until our sides hurt
Tears falling from our faces, like a river.
The aroma coming from Mama's kitchen, as she was cooking lunch
The beautiful set table, with the best crocks, 
Of course the best glasses, that later we'd play our music on.
With luncheon, over the music would start, of course, Papa with his baton.
Just to lead us on, the noise was such, it was like bedlam.

And poor Mama begging, begging for the noise to stop
Papa saying oh woman let us be, we're making music can't you see
When the day was over, Papa beaming as happy as can be
The whole family together to spend a glorious day. 
There was, not the materialistic things, that they have today
But we had our music...never, never forget the music.
Mama Papa just made it special, for Christmas day
We had everything we needed, forever and a day
We were a family together, 
Papa Mama And us.

                          By Connie James...