Christmas Party ©

The adults set the scene
Trimmed the tree
Hung stars at the windows
Put holly on window sills

They wrapped presents
Someone’s Uncle became Santa
Planned with precision
The Sunday school party

Each year for all of my childhood
Always on Christmas Eve
A rolling booking in the church hall
Tradition .. set in memories bank

Long tables set with goodies
Ice cream at half time
The hush when the lights went off
Someone’s baby sister always cried

But I knew the format
Saw the nod ..the wink
Worked out the system
Smallest to the tallest

For me... a baby boomer
A war just newly past
Knew nothing of hostility
Just warmth and joy and God

My turn now to serve there
Same hall same church same God
Lingering kindly in the shadows
Those lovely folks of old