“Bring the Christmas life into our lives…” (Photo © 2015 by V. Nesdoly)
A Christmas Prayer
Bring the Christmas life into our lives.
Don’t let the hustle-hurry steal our joy
the cashier lineups, traffic jams annoy.
Flood us with peace till Christmas day arrives.
Help us to hear the words of Christmas songs
and let them calm us in the busy throngs.
When beggars hold out hands, help us be wise
to see the poor as Jesus in disguise.
At Christmas feast when some dear ones are missed
help us remember, realize through tears
the treasure they have been to us for years
and through them we continue to be blessed.
Welcome, stunned shepherd and wise man who gives.
Welcome the wonder of a silent night.
Christ child who comes with hope and love and light
please bring Your Christmas life into our lives.
© 2015 by Violet Nesdoly
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I wrote this poem two years ago, as the grace prayer for our poetry society’s Christmas potluck. It has a mentor poem—Wendy Cope’s “The Christmas Life” which, I’m sure you’ll agree, is stunning in its beauty and simplicity.
This post is linked to Poetry Friday, hosted today by Buffy Silverman at Buffy’s Blog.
Violet Nesdoly / poems 
cvarsalona
December 4, 2015 at 6:25 am
Violet, “Bring the Christmas life into our lives.”-beautiful opening that I shall keep in my heart. Thank you for the spirit of Christmas to fill my soul today. (now I better start decorating…)
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Violet Nesdoly
December 4, 2015 at 7:57 am
Thanks, Carol. It’s a busy season and so easy to get ruffled. I need to constantly remind myself to slow down and smell the pine!
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Donna Smith
December 4, 2015 at 9:34 am
I guard my joy zealously! Thanks for a prayer to keep close. Beautiful!
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Violet Nesdoly
December 4, 2015 at 10:56 am
I like that thought, Donna, “guard my joy.” So much can steal it away. Must not let that happen!!
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Catherine Johnson
December 4, 2015 at 9:39 am
Perfect!
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Michelle Heidenrich Barnes
December 4, 2015 at 11:36 am
Beautiful, Violet. I’ll keep this in mind as the holiday crazies prepare for their annual convention.
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Buffy Silverman
December 4, 2015 at 7:01 pm
“Don’t let the hustle-hurry steal our joy”–words to remember!
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Linda Baie
December 4, 2015 at 9:17 pm
I always find something to admire when I read your poems, Violet. After a long day this is a good thought to keep for the weekend, keeping the Christmas life as I’d like to have it. Thank you.
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jama
December 5, 2015 at 7:45 am
So beautiful, Violet. We need this prayer more than ever.
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Violet Nesdoly
December 5, 2015 at 9:07 am
Thank you, Jama and Linda!
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maryleehahn
December 6, 2015 at 6:38 am
Amen.
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cbhanek
December 6, 2015 at 4:53 pm
Thank you for sharing the idea of a Christmas life, extending and expanding Christmas Day from a one (or twelve) day “event” into a lifestyle. You live this prayer. I greatly admire that! Thank you. God bless!
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