Memories of Christmas

My mind is filled with memories
of Christmas long ago,
the special presents wrapped in red
and tied up with a bow.

The lighted trees and Santa Clause
and stories that were told.
The mistletoe and songs to sing,
and mittens for the cold.

The midnight mass where we would go
to hear the choir sing.
The baby born in Bethlehem,
the faith that birth would bring.

The Christmas lists to Mom and Dad
by hopeful girls and boys.
The stockings on the mantelpiece,
the candy canes and toys.

The children who would stay up late
till they fell fast asleep.
Then in the morning they would wake
and down the stairway creep.

The snowman with the carrot nose
and sleigh bells that would chime.
Those days that were so long ago,
another place and time.

But can those memories be true?
I’d like to think it’s so.
How many came from Hollywood?
Well, I don’t want to know.

Those memories are real to me.
I cherish every one.
For Christmas memories should be
of peace, and love, and fun.