The Magic of Christmas

When the purple wood-smoke circles

Into five o’clock afternoon

When silver of snowflake spirals

Like sugar from heaven’s spoon

When shouts of happy children

Sparkle in the frosty air

I feel the magic of Christmas

Descend like an evening prayer

When spicy-sweet fills the kitchen

With flavors that pleasure and tease

When buttered sugar-flour creations

Bring back childhood memories

When gingerbread, shortbread, plum-pudding

Flaunt tempting, annual art

I feel the magic of Christmas

Warming the home in my heart

When dear ageless songs of the season

Thrill both the aged and youth

As carolers exalt the Reason

Of glory-child’s Christmas truth

When glitter of ribbons and paper

Covers each table and chair

I feel the magic of Christmas

Cradle the earth in a prayer

When sorrow and joy-blended beauty

Aches in the atmosphere

When we lay aside mundane duty

To revel in this season’s cheer

When all of the hurt that might hinder

We kindly and firmly release

I feel the magic of Christmas

And oh, its sweet magic is peace

I cherish the magic of Christmas

And pray it will never cease

© Janet Martin