Today many are celebrating with family in the warmth of their homes, opening presents and preparing to partake of the holiday feast prepared or being prepared.  Sadly, there are others alone, cold, penniless, and destitute.  Some of them have lost all hope.  I ask that you remember them in your thoughts and prayers and if you have not already, plan to help someone in need, if not today, soon.  Christmas is about Love, Caring, and Giving, and how better to manifest the Spirit of Christmas than by reaching out to someone in need?

I only offer this poem below that I wrote 17 years ago when I encountered parathyroid cancer and experienced a work of God the surgeon called a miracle.  As I sat in my truck at lunch praying and reading scripture, I felt a warmth cover my body and knew in my heart that God had removed the remnant of cancer. 

I had undergone surgery, but it did not appear that all had been removed.  A second surgery was planned, and about two weeks before the surgery, this experience occurred when the PTH and calcium levels were checked. They had gone from the high to the low side of the normal scale. 

The doctor said, “This does not happen medically.”  He then said, “I think we know who did this.”  We proceeded with the second surgery to repair some things and check everything; from that day to this, all have been normal.  Each Christmas, I remember the rich blessing of life that God has given me, and I give Him all the praise.

I give this poem as my gift and pray that God grants you a most joyous Christmas.  As I bid you adieu for the day, I depart shouting – – M E R R Y   C H R I S T M A S!!!

TWILIGHT AND MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS…

When we are young, and life is like a flowering tree

We think only of the moment; what’s in it for me?

Christmas is a time of anticipation.

Youthful joy and full of expectation

What will we get? What can we do?

It’s all about me and little about you.

Then in our teens, those rebellious years.

We bring to our parents exquisite joy and rivers of tears/

Christmas is a time of anticipation

Youthful joy and full of expectation.

Why can’t I go off with my friends and see

What this world can offer me?

Then as young adults with children of our own

We are now parents, and the worry to us belongs.

Christmas is a time of our children’s anticipation

Waiting to see if we fulfilled their every expectation.

If you fail, this you will hear, “But I wanted the latest and hottest fad

I didn’t get it now; I am mad.”

Then come the twilight years.

You are alone to face all your fears.

Children and grandchildren are grown with families of their own.

It’s Christmas, and you are alone,

Forgotten, it seems, with no one to share

Life’s little joys for no one does care.

Remember this in your Christmas of twilight.

As you turn inward and are filled with the darkness of night.

It’s not the specific day that makes it so dear

It’s not even the time of the year.

It’s that your family has set one day aside.

To join you and celebrate Christmas there by your side.

© Roy Beaird – 2005

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Peace on Earth, Good Will To All… MAY 2023 be joyous, productive, prosperous, and powerful!