The Fight Before
Christmas
‘Twas the night before
Christmas and all through the house
The tension was bad as I
fought with my spouse.
The stockings were hung,
and the presents were there.
The tree lights were
shining, but I didn’t care.
She had said something
that had made me mad,
Unless she said “I’m
sorry” this fight would be bad.
The children were hiding
upstairs in their beds,
While loud angry voices
whirled ‘round in their heads.
She had been wrong and I
knew that she knew it
This fight would go on
until she said she blew it.
My wife went upstairs,
brushed her teeth and her hair.
I decided I’d sleep in
my reclining chair.
My eyelids were closed
but my mind wouldn’t rest.
The anger sat there like
a brick on my chest.
When all of a sudden,
from somewhere outside
I heard such a wail
you’d think something had died.
I jumped from my chair and my feet
hit the floor,
I stomped through the house and
threw open the door.
The moonlight reflected on new
fallen snow
As my eyes became focused on objects
below.
And there on my porch, surely up to
no good,
Stood eight tiny snot nosed brats
from the hood.
They were all bundled up, their eyes
full of glee
As they sang Christmas carols,
mostly off key.
Two were dressed up like Joseph and
Mary,
In the little girl’s arms, a wee
doll she did carry.
They sang Silent Night, and Away in
a Manger.
They had not a clue of my justified
anger.
I started to scold them and send
them away.
Who could have joy on this horrible
day?
But, just as I opened my mouth to
implore
That they take their miserable singing
next door.
A small voice said, “Mister, do
you know the reason
That we celebrate during this
Christmas season”?
My head dropped in shame, I said,
“Tell me about it”.
He replied, “When you hear it,
you never will doubt it.
Did you know that Jesus came down
from above
To live among us with a heart full
of love?
He left all His riches to live here
on earth
And started this life with a poor,
lowly birth.
He had to come down because we had
been bad.
He didn’t place blame, it just made
Him real sad.
He died on a cross where we should
have died.
The people who loved Him were sad,
and they cried.
He rose up again and to heaven He
flew
And we can all go there to live with
Him too.”
They said “Merry Christmas”, as they walked away.
Their singing was
precious, I wished they could stay.
I suddenly realized that
I had been wrong,
And this fight with my
family had stolen my song.
My anger had drowned out
the sweet Christmas spirit.
The song was still
there, but I couldn’t hear it.
I knew that I had to
make up with my wife,
To tell her “I’m sorry”
and stop all this strife.
I climbed up the stairs
and I swallowed my pride,
And gathered my wife and
my kids to my side.
As I asked for
forgiveness and started to weep,
My wife said, “I love
you, now let’s get some sleep.”
We all settled down for
a nice winter’s rest.
I thought of my family,
and knew I was blessed.
My children are nestled
all snug in their beds,
While memories of
Christmas songs float in their heads.
‘Tis the night before
Christmas and everything’s good
Because of eight twinkle
eyed kids from the hood.
Janice Austin Bates
December 2, 2011 11:26
pm
