Christmas Journey's End.

[LonerAndy]

(Wasn't sure where to put this.)

A Christmas Journey’s end.

 

It was Christmas day, and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Wait, that’s not right.  That’s not how it should be.

There should be people and food and activity.

 

The tree in the corner, sits dark and gray,

No presents underneath, no lights on display

The fireplace was empty, no logs fire lit

No warmth being given, only ashes are left in it.

 

Instead of coffee cake and butter, and hot cocoa to drink

The coffee table was empty, a scene far too bleak.

In the dark kitchen, there nothing was prepared

The ovens closed and cold, the counters all bare.

 

The dining room table, wax candles in the middle they sit

I thought to light one, but I couldn’t bear it.

Champaign glasses were up all in their place

No bottles of wine were out for people to taste.

 

I searched the rooms of this old house

But in each room, no one was found.

At last in the living room I stopped in front of the TV

There a blank screen, no movies being played, no Christmas story.

 

Moving to the chair, I sat looking at the dark scene.

This is it.  They’re gone.  Nothing more here to see.

As I was staring at the blank gray TV

I realized it was over, this is the end of the story.

 

While I sat in the house so dark and silent

The numbness and empty felt like dyin.

 

A spark.  A flicker of light.

 

At first I thought robbers had come,

Or perhaps in searching I had missed someone

But a man step around the corner to see me

His frame outlined by a clear light glowing.
 

Now I was terrified to see.  What could it be?

Was it an angel?  The Lord? Or some other Heavenly?

 

“Why are you here?” he asked kindly.

 

I gathered my strength to reply to him

“My parents are gone. They’ve reached journey’s end.

I came again for Christmas, like I do every year.

But the house is now empty, and there is no one here.

Now the story is finished and I’m all alone.

I thought I can’t bear it, and perhaps I should just go.”

 

The man stood a moment more, and then turned as to leave.

“Please come and follow me.  There is something I wish you to see.”

Silently I followed him around until he paused in front of me

He reached down, and plugged in that old Christmas tree.

 

In a moment it flickered bright

The room was filled with dazzling light.

 

An ornament hanging there of the church they went faithfully

Another from a trip to the beach on lake Erie

Next one from ‘83, a picture of a house they bought on this street

One from 77, and 1990.   A picture ornament of our camp trip made yearly

 

There was an old Chevy hanging on one branch, that my father used to own.

An ornament of Noah’s Ark, she was always collecting those.

Ornaments from a trip European

and ornaments of schools where they did teach.

 

A cabin where our relatives would meet and share a meal to eat.

An ornament from a lake where we did some fishing.

Even the tinsel was a memory of Christmas in the snow.

An ornament for every year together, of people, of places, and things to know.

 

He spoke “This is not just a tree, but a chain of memories.

But what is that star at the top that you see?  Do you remember any such a thing?”

I replied “No Lord, I don’t.”

“Then why is that there?  What could that star mean?”

 

“The star at the top, shining so bright

Is a reminder of our God’s mercy and guiding light.

The star shines down along the path where we go

So we will find the way through this world to our Father’s home.

 

Just as the wise men of old, didn’t merely walk there on all on their own

They followed the star’s light that they could see, that God had showed.

So when they finally reached their Journey’s ending

They were right where the Father always intended them to be.

 

So too your parents both saw this star’s light.

They followed it on their path, through life’s darkest night.

Both knew that it was guidance that came from above.

Today at Journey’s end, they are at the city of God’s love.

 

“But you said that story was over and Christmas is done.

That’s just not true.  You being here is proof from above.

The story continues, only this chapter has come to an end.

The star is here, and the star’s light will still lead as God intends.

 

So now the story is yours to continue, and in your hand the pen.

Put your own memories on the tree, and write the chapter about the light to Journey’s end.

Keep walking your faith, and follow the path as He shows your way.

When your chapter is written, you will find all are waiting for you on that Heavenly day.”

 

I woke up in bed and quickly grabbed a pen.

Writing down all the details before I forget.

But somehow it didn’t seem quite the fit

to finish only on that last thing that was said.

So final lines I’ll try not to waste

I’ll do my best not to make a mistake.

 

Christmas is difficult when traditions come to an end.

People move on, and a chapter is finished then.

But make a new chapter and write all that you can.

Put memories on your tree, and start your own tradition.

 

And some day when people see your ornaments covered in memories

Perhaps they’ll look up and see a star at the top of your tree

They might ask “All this I get, and I understand these.

But what about that star up top?  What can its meaning be?”

 

Then you can smile and say

 

“That is the star that God has given.

It lights the way

It keeps me safe

and guides me to Journey’s end.”