Merry Christmas to you and yours from The Duchy of Tradgardland!
And is it true? And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,
A Baby in an ox's stall ?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me ?
And is it true ? For if it is,
No loving fingers tying strings
Around those tissued fripperies,
The sweet and silly Christmas things,
Bath salts and inexpensive scent
And hideous tie so kindly meant,
No love that in a family dwells,
No carolling in frosty air,
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells
Can with this single Truth compare -
That God was man in Palestine
And lives today in Bread and Wine.
From Christmas by John Betjeman
Merry Christmas Alan! Thank you for your card. Yours, sadly, is still sitting here. Mea culpa. All the best to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteEric
I hope you have an enjoyable family Christmas and all the best for the coming year.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas Alan
ReplyDeleteTwo days of poetry. It must be Christmas - may yours be merry and bright.
ReplyDeleteStephen
Merry Christmas, Alan. Hope you all have the most lovely day. Better get the sprouts on now.
ReplyDeleteRonnie & Carol
Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteA very Merry Xmas to you, Alan, and all your family!
ReplyDeleteYuletide felicitations to one and all.
ReplyDeleteWillz.
Great poem. Thanks! Happy Christmas to you!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Alan and family.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours
ReplyDelete