The smell of pine and cinnamon flowing across the ornate halls
Frantic Christmas shoppers buzz around bustling shopping malls
The countdown falling shorter now, along with the nights of winter
Fireplaces that roared at dusk, by night are reduced to cinder
The weather report at six o’clock, the kids will all watch the news
With snow and ice the school is closed, now boots replace their shoes
Behind frosted windows of homes remains the warmth of baking treats
Hot cocoa and cookies await the kids coming in from frozen streets
Stores are lined with all you can buy for the season early each year
The thrifty hunt for treasures passed up as the holiday draws near
Traffic jams and flight delays keep loved ones desperately in wait
But arriving back for the holidays means more than being timely or late
Faith doesn’t make for a holiday, it’s the feeling of closeness that counts
There is wealth in the company of loved ones in great or smaller amounts
Gifts are bought for those we love but they need not be our only reason
The better memories of the year behind bring true happiness to the season