That Simple Christmas 

Long ago in days of childhood,
When it was Christmas on the farm,
We'd go looking in the wild wood
For a tree with just the right charm.

We'd chop that tree down right away,
Take it home and make a good stand.
Paper chains were made the same day
In many colors just as planned.

Our gifts were small and very few.
We'd heard of Santa and his fame;
But it took money, this we knew,
Homemade things and good food, our aim.

Christmas plays at the country school,
We'd rehearse well and memorize.
The manger scene was, as a rule,
Jesus' fam'ly in child disguise.

Children were taught at church and home
Just what Christmas was all about.
A good foundation ere we'd roam
Was a good thing to give a "sprout."

Oh yes, we knew why Christmas came
And why God sent Jesus to earth.
He'd die for us and take the blame
For human sin we had from birth.

Today it's so commercialized!
The truth is lost in the wild whirl
Of the toys and things to be prized.
We forget that His birth's The Pearl!

Let's go back to the simple time
When we knew why we'd celebrate
Christmas Day; and, when the bells chime
We'll rejoice and His return await.

That simple Christmas long ago,
Though sparse, was what it should have been.
Fam'ly gathered at home and church
To worship the Babe with friends and kin.


By Geneva Poynter

used with permission