Christmas carols and songs provide a means to celebrate and yet also to find strength when times are tough. They also ground us and inspire hope that today and tomorrow will bring joy, peace and love to our lives and to the world. May it be so. I wrote these two poems today (December 12, 2025) as new takes on a couple of Christmas classics with gratitude and recognition of the authors of the original songs. They are not meant to be songs but simply to use different lyrics even as they capture similar sentiments – like so many Christmas songs and writings. Joyeux Noel.
A New Take on ‘Away in a Manger’
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
Not even a mattress nor pillow to lay a head
Mary was in pain and no one could sleep
Not even the cows, chickens nor sheep
We called a midwife for Mary’s time was near
The night air was cool and the sky it was clear
With a final push the baby it did arrive
The waiting was over, God’s son was alive
We named him Jesus and wrapped him in sheets
The cattle moo’d and the sheep, they did bleat
Jesus now slept, calm through the noise
Showing us early his calmness and poise
The three of us rested and we said us a prayer
Thanking God for the gift that we’d have to share
Jesus was born and people would soon come
Seeking the child who’d march to his own drum
Away in a manger, with no place to hide
Angels telling stories with bright stars to guide
Songs of hope and joy as if a new start
Peace and love now filling all of our hearts
A New Take on ‘White Christmas’
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones in the books
Where there is snow on the ground
And much joyful sound
And kitchens are full of good cooks
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas carol I do sing
Where people listen as others talk
And go for neighbourhood walks
And church bells do joyfully ring
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas email I do send
As snow falls and children play
And families gather in love on that day
Wishing for joy and peace that will not end