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Home for Christmas

Beneath the sinking skies I ride, a traveler on his way,                     .
Through drizzling mist and fading light until the end of day.
As skies grow dim and gray clouds droop and icy breezes blow,
Wrapped in the growing gloom, I sense pure joy within me grow!

How could the scene be otherwise? I’ve come from very far,
Adventuring on lonely roads, sealed snugly in my car,
Outbraving winter’s fog and gloom, at journey’s end to see
Bright candles glowing warmly in the windows—just for me!

Soon I will cross the threshold and will see the well-loved faces
Of dear ones who will greet me with kind words and warm embraces.
Soon I will hear the whistle of a kettle on the stove
And sip hot, steaming tea that’s spiced with cinnamon and clove.

Soon we will sit at table, and give thanks before we pitch in
To eat up all the vittles that come richly from the kitchen.
And after that, the time will come to gather round the tree
To pass out gifts and open them, as children shout with glee.

At last, the weary young’uns, tuckered out, will slip away
To their dark caves to hibernate until the coming day
And leave us ancient veterans to sit and reminisce
And speak of all those “good old days of yore” we dearly miss.

At some point, things will take a turn, and someone will embroil
Us all in lively discourse as we burn the midnight oil,
Relaxing in the living room beside a roaring fire—
Oh, what a festive family scene! What more could one desire?

But there is more to Christmas than what eye and ear can sense,
Much more than tongues can taste—a joy celestial and immense
That earth cannot contain, which made the angel choirs sing
Glad songs of praise to God for what an infant’s birth would bring.

For lo!  our race was lost, undone, and frozen fast in sin,
Plunged in the deepest darkness, stripped of hope, and dead within;
But God, by sending His own Son, made heaven blaze with light,
Rekindled hope in lifeless hearts and ended sin’s long night.

Next to this transcendental joy, no joy can be compared!
(Though surely, we give thanks to God for yuletide blessings shared
With friends and family year by year, each time we get together
To share in grub and gifts and gab, no matter what the weather.)

For food and friends and family fun, no matter how they warm us,
Are dwarfed in size before a love incomparably enormous,
As wide as all the world in scope, and deep beyond all measure,
Seen in the One whose birth gives hope—God’s priceless Christmas treasure.

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Martin Rizley grew up in Oklahoma and in Texas, and has served in pastoral ministry both in the United States and in Europe. He is currently serving as the pastor of a small evangelical church in the city of Málaga on the southern coast of Spain, where he lives with his wife and daughter. 

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12 Responses

    • Martin Rizley

      Thank you, Dick, for reading and sharing with me your response to the poem!

      Reply
  2. Roy Eugene Peterson

    The warmth of coming home both to family and to our eternal home is told with strategic alliteration and lovely imagery. Indeed, there is so much more to Christmas for those who recognize the true meaning.

    Reply
    • Martin Rizley

      I have so many wonderful memories of Christmases shared with family. What a wonderful thing it is after a long journey through bleak landscapes to step through the door of a warm, well-lighted home where loved ones are awaiting your arrival! I wanted to capture that heartwarming mood through images, but then move beyond the earthly to the heavenly sphere by speaking of the reality that lies at the heart of Christmas “for those who recognize its true meaning”, as you put it. Thanks, Roy, for your feedback!

      Reply
  3. Joseph S. Salemi

    These are very fine heptameters, and the rhymes are absolutely perfect.

    The alliteration is expertly done, but I would avoid the close repetition of “friends and family” in the last two quatrains.

    Reply
    • Martin Rizley

      Thank you, Dr. Salemi, for your feedback and for the suggestion about not repeating the same words in the last two quatrains. I will definitely take that advice and will replace the first “friends and family” in the penultimate quatrain with “cherished kinfolk”.

      Reply
  4. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    Martin, you have added perspective to the Christmas festivities by highlighting the one true meaning behind the celebrations and the sheer magnitude of God’s gift – the greatest gift. Your warm words conjure delightful scenes – scenes that had this reader sipping “hot, steaming tea that’s spiced with cinnamon and clove” at the kitchen table with y’all. This beautiful poem captures the essence of Christmas perfectly. Martin, thank you! Here’s wishing you a merry one!

    Reply
    • Martin Rizley

      Susan,
      Sorry for my belated response to your comment, but let me say that I much appreciate your words of appreciation for the poem! You are a most welcome guest at the kitchen table for that cup of hot tea spiced with cinammon and clove, and your use of the word “y´all” tells me you won´t have any trouble fitting in a cross between an English rose and a Texas bluebonnet!

      Reply
  5. Shamik Banerjee

    A poem that gives satisfaction to the heart! From the very yearning to be at home, having dinner, and opening the gifts to putting the children to sleep to engaging in talks about the good old days of yore and then, bringing God into the picture and his ultimate plan to save mankind. What a brilliant transition. And I fully echo Mr. Salemi’s words. Thanks for this Christmas treat, Mr. Rizley. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.

    Reply
    • Martin Rizley

      Shamik, I am so glad you enjoyed the poem and am pleased that you describe it as a “Christmas treat”! Many blessings to you and your loved ones, and may you continue to develop your gifts and write many new poems in the coming year.

      Reply
  6. Gigi Ryan

    Dear Martin,
    Many will travel for Christmas and find varying degrees of joy and nostalgia at the end of the journey, as your describe in such a comforting way. Many will also suffer alone. The conclusion of your poem points everyone to the greater comfort and joy that isn’t dependent on our worldly circumstances.
    This is beautiful. Merry Christmas!
    Gigi

    Reply
    • Martin Rizley

      Thank you, Gigi. How true it is that the greater comfort and joy the Christmas affords, for those who have eyes to see it, is not contingent on our earthly circusmtances. I hope you have had a lovely Christmas and best wishes for the new year!

      Reply

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