This Christmas…
You don’t have to be full of joy
All merry and all bright
You don’t have to force festive cheer
If you don’t feel alright
No, you’re not obligated
To be jovial and jolly
To string the lights and sing the songs
Or deck the halls with holly
Perhaps you’re missing someone
And perhaps they miss you too
Perhaps you’re feeling burdened
By how much you have to do
Perhaps the bleak mid winter
Leaves you feeling rather cold
Perhaps it’s hard to drive
December’s darkness from your soul
Perhaps you’d rather hibernate,
Let Christmas pass you by
But remember; it’s not long ‘til you
Can bid this year goodbye
For now, don’t paint a smile
Upon your teary, tired face
Instead, find quiet moments
Where this season gives you space
And recognise that songs
And decorations cannot hide
The flurry of emotions
Overwhelming you inside
Yes, find those little moments
Where the lights don’t feel so bright
Where you don’t have to keep pretending
Just to be polite
Where you can breathe in peacefully
Away from all the noise
Away from expectation
That you’re full of festive joys
‘Cause when the day is over
And the lights are taken down
When it’s another year
Before next Christmas rolls around
Yes, when the joy is fading
And the merriment has ceased
You’ll be so very grateful for
Those pocketfuls of peace.
~ Becky Helmsley
~ Artwork by Manka Kasha
