Christmas Joys The Sights and Sounds of Christmas The sound of joyful church bells Heard from a distant hill, A warm and cozy fireside To chase the winter's chill. The jingle of the sleigh bells, A Christmas candle's glow, The cherished celebrations Each heart has come to know. A child's anticipation As he peers beneath the tree, And finds the gift he asked for When he sat on Santa's knee. The sights and sounds of Christmas Woefully will depart, But the wondrous love of Jesus Can remain within each heart. - Catherine Janssen Irwin If I Were a Christmas Tree I'd like to be a Christmas tree with presents all around; with golden ropes, and silver tinsel hanging to the ground. I'd trim my boughs with crystal balls of red and blue and white, and watch them glow and catch the gleam of every Christmas light. I'd wrap myself in candy canes and popcorn balls, and such. And, last, I'd have a shining angel for my crowning touch! Then early Christmas morn when little ones, with shouts of joy, rush in to see and claim and treasure every wondrous toy, I'd lean my boughs to brush up close and touch each child like this, and place upon each shining cheek my loving Christmas kiss! - Bonnie Compton Hanson Everywhere Christmas Peace on earth- It's Christmas; Silent is the night. All about the beauty- Earth is dressed in white. Listen; Hear the angels- Songs are in the air. Wide eyes shine in wonder- It's Christmas everywhere. - Joan Stephen (Continues...) Excerpted from Christmas Blessings by June Cotner Copyright © 2002 by June Cotner Graves Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.