'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas

And all through the house

"The spirit is low",

Thought the little boy, Clause.

The house was decorated

And the presents were wrapped

But it seemed as though all the anticipation

And the joy had been napped

The feeling that usually welled up from inside

And flooded the house with Christmastime pride

Was replaced with the ghost of happy days past

And on every chilly window a shadow was cast

"What is this?

How can it be?

Is there no one around quite as ready as me?"

The big folks were all just moping around.

They drank and talked low and kept constant a frown.

"But isn't Christmas the most wonderful time?

There is something wrong here lacking reason and rhyme."

So with that thought Clause pulled out his Christmas book

and throughout the pages he carefully did look

In it he saw people who were close together

Who sang Christmas songs in spite of the weather.

And in it he realized the reasons for sadness

And went right off to replace them with gladness.

To his mama he gave the biggest of hugs

and reminded her quitely of his own special love.

To his papa he gave an hour playing a game

and saw the difference-papa was not the same!

Then to his sister he apologized

for things that he'd broken and little white lies.

They all looked at each other, and looked down at him

And saw what he'd done for himself and for them.

Inside and out there came a sense of peace

And the love of the family did doubly increase.

Outside the snow fell, soft and bright

And Clause knew that all was alright.

Then he looked at the presents laid under the tree

and thought to himself,

"All that's needed is me!

And otheres alike who give time to share

And people who stop to show people they care.

For in the midst of jolly good tidings

There are still those who have struggles they're fighting.

What the world needs is a little more love

And a few more smiles, and a touch from above."

And with that said, Merry Christmas to you!

Please don't forget things for others you can do.