Here is a link to a video showing my Christmas Prose Poetry which I wrote and read in my church a week last Sunday. It was also published in the Arthur Graphic Clarion – the local community newspaper in my town. Sadly, I will not be present to read it at this year’s Christmas eve worship service as it will be too cold for me and my asthma to get out in…. So I am glad that I was able to read it last Sunday. I hope you enjoy listening to my message. The words to my prose poetry also are below.
Merry Christmas to you all!
Christmas Prose Poetry "What is the Christmas Spirit?" My friends, It is that “most wonderful time of year,” that everyone talks about… And the main question that escapes their lips is… “Are you in the Christmas spirit…?” And so, you think for a moment… “Am I?” You remember listening to some Christmas music, You’ve shopped for all the gifts on your Christmas list. The Christmas tree is put up and all decorated… The bright twinkling lights are shining and everyone’s Christmas stockings are hung. And don’t forget, you’ve also been watching all of your favorite Christmas movies And reading all those classic Christmas tales… So, you nod knowingly and reply, “Well of course, I am in the Christmas spirit! Merry Christmas to you!” Later though, you think back, “But am I REALLY in the Christmas spirit? What exactly is the Christmas spirit and what does it mean? Sometimes, we find ourselves just doing the motions of Christmas- Which can involve - decorating, singing, buying gifts, watching movies, or meeting with family and friends or doing gift exchanges. I mean, that is how you “do Christmas,” right? Then there are those of us who seem to find the Christmas spirit barely making it through the cracks of our own being… Getting into the spirit is just difficult, because of our own past experiences, Or because we’ve lost loved ones, family and friends may be sick, Or our personal lives have just gotten complicated with financial stress… Then, for some, it's just that the commercialism of the holiday has began to weigh us down, Because in our hearts, we know, there is more to Christmas… So, if getting into the Christmas spirit isn’t about all of the shopping, decorating, movies and music… What is it? If we look at Christmas through the eyes of one very special baby, whose birth we celebrate, Perhaps the spirit can mean something else, as it is that baby, who grew up to teach us about the power of unconditional love… The Christmas spirit is about showing kindness through love or special acts of giving, and spreading joy to those around you… During the holiday season, you may donate to the less fortunate, give hugs to those who are hurting and pray for those who call on you for help. Perhaps you might smile at a stranger, hold open a door, or pay for someone’s purchase that is behind you - just because… The giving of the Christmas spirit isn’t buying the latest product off the store shelf And wrapping it in fancy paper. It is about the giving of one’s heart and sharing the love that Jesus has given unto us. Sometimes though, “being in the spirit,” can be complicated… Especially when life gets tough and the world seems to be an unkind place. But it is through the spirit, that we must shine a light when there is darkness in the world. Through that darkness, we shine the light of love, the light of the Christmas spirit… Even when our hearts are hurting, or feel numb, We light our torch, and carry it through those rough narrow dark valleys, And reach our hands out to those who can’t see the steps ahead. The spirit inside our hearts leads us to keep on, to move forward with love. When we make it through those rocky valleys, The love from Christmas spirit is the great reward, And it is better than any gift found under the tree… Although, please remember, even when it is days after the Christmas season, keep your torch lit, Because love and light should be spread all year long… And that my friends, is the Christmas spirit.
Ariana R. Cherry: Poet & Artist 