On Christmas Eve after lunch I went with my dad and brother into the forest to select the perfect tree
Which everyone could get for free..

My father kept the horse in tome,
As we followed while the tree was pulled home.

We scooped up a lot of moss to put under the tree
Which was carefully carried by my brother and me.

Then it was a joy to see
How my Mother, sister and me decorated the tree

The moss was placed under the tree and looked like green rolling hills
On which the simple Nativity set was placed with no frills

The room soon filled with pine smelling air
And there was a Christmas atmosphere everywhere

It was as if the cows knew
It was Christmas for them too

Colored and silver breakable balls were carefully arranged
And the broken ones were exchanged

Icicles were draped on the branches and looked real
It had such mesmerizing appeal

The tree was crowned with a shiny peak
That looked very delicate and sleek

The radio played my favorite Christmas tune
While outside the snow was lit by the moon

The wood stove was still burning red
When we went early to bed

Because my father placed our shoes around the stove to get warm
To be comfortable during snow or a storm

When we walked to midnight mass
With a fast warm feet pass

The church was dark with only a few candles lit
Where we had a family bench to sit

The choir sang in full glory
And the priest told every year the same Christmas story

When we got home it was a feast
We had a wonderful breakfast before awakening and milking the beast

The candles were lit one by one
And burned till they were almost gone

I must say
This was my favorite part of the day

Back to church at eleven and again at three
No time today to be free

The dinner table showed the best tablecloth and dishes
And my mother tried to serve food that filled all our wishes

But always the traditional duck stuffed with prunes
While giving thanks during pleasant holiday tunes

I am thankfully for life’s pleasantries
That remain in my memories.