this is my christmas card to each of you...


'twas the night before christmas,
they lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of
plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney
with presents to give,
and to see just who
in this home did live.

I looked all about,
a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents,
not even a tree.

no stockings by mantle,
just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures
of far distant lands.

with medal and badges,
awards of all kinds,
a sober thought
came through my mind.

for this house was different,
it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.

the soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone,
curled up on the floor
in this one bedroom home.

the face was so gentle,
the roome in such disorder,
not how I pictured
a United States soldier.

was this the hero
of whom I'd just read?
curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?

I realized the families
that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers
who were willing to fight.

soon round the world,
the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate
a bright Christmas day.

they all enjoyed freedom
each month of the year,
because of the soldiers,
like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder
how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas eve
in a land far from home.

the very thought
brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees
and started to cry.

the soldier awakened
and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry,
this life is my choice."

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
my life is my God,
my country, my Corps."

the soldier rolled over
and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still
and we both shivered
from the night's chill.

I didn't want to leave
on that cold, dark night,
that guardian of honor
so willing to fight,

then the soldier rolled over
with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "carry on Santa,
it's Christmas day, all is secure."

one look at my watch,
and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend,
and to all a good night."

This poem was written by a Marine, stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He asked that during this coming Christmas season, we pause for a moment and think about our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please plant this seed of thought in your heart during this season. Thanks folks.
God bless you all.

The original has the word Marine in place of soldier but it works just as well. Thanks for posting it and Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas to all of you who celebrate the birth of Jesus with us at this time of year. And for everyone else please enjoy the holidays that you celebrate and for those of you who don't believe in anything and therfore have nothing to celebrate at least you get a day off from work,LOL.

Peace

Bill http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif

And for any other Marines out there - Semper Fidelis.

let's see what are the variables,
soldier
sailor
infantry
airman (er airperson)
...

anyone willing can fill in the blank whichever they like.
have a great day. peace to you and yours, all

Thanks for the post, Gwen!

Blessings to our service people far from home!

quote:Originally posted by gwen snyder:
let's see what are the variables,
soldier
sailor
infantry
airman (er airperson)
beggarman
thief
if it started with
tinker
tailor
and included
rich man
poor man
much more detail at
http://ingeb.org/songs/tinkerta.html
lots of folk songs ion that Cite/Site/Sight
including one that Gord sings
http://ingeb.org/songs/novascot.html
anyone willing can fill in the blank whichever they like.
have a great day. peace to you and yours, all

------------------
My Gordon Lightfoot webring
starts at
http://www.johnfowles.org.uk/lightfoot



[This message has been edited by johnfowles (edited December 16, 2003).]

thanks john that was very interesting.

quote:Originally posted by gwen snyder:
thanks john that was very interesting.

Yes, I found it very interesting. http://www.corfid.com/ubb/smile.gif