A Winner — Plus My Very First Christmas Poem!

Somebody just got a little warmer! That’s right, it’s time to announce the winner of the “Warm Me Up” Holiday Giveaway. And the lucky winner is skoots1mom!! Congrats, skoots1mom! I’ll put the Starbucks gift card in the mail as soon as you send me your mailing address. Enjoy—and Merry Christmas!

I have a little gift for the rest of you as well. Some of you may remember I’ve been sharing one of my original Christmas poems on my blog each year. I started writing them for my Christmas cards thirty-one years ago so I have plenty to choose from :)

This year I decided to share the Christmas poem I wrote as a 7th grader. It’s my very first one, written long before the Christmas card tradition began. Reading it now, I’m tempted to make some changes, but since it’s a piece of my history, I’ll share it as is—not easy for a writer to do! Go easy on me, please, as you read it :)

I actually remember my parents and my English teacher being very proud of this fledgling writing effort. I hope that these words—written by a very ordinary 12-year old girl back in 1967—will bless you in some way today. Merry Christmas from my 7th grade self! :)

GOD . . . in a manger

As shepherds were watching their flock one night
An angel appeared unto them
The heavenly creature was a sight,   
Especially unto sinful men.

I bring you glad tidings of joy
That is what he had said
The news is of a baby boy,
He was not a plain baby . . . it was Jesus Christ instead.

They rejoiced when they heard the news
And the sky was filled with singing,
The sky was filled with angels, too
And this little baby didn’t even know of this joy he was bringing.

For the family there was no room in the inn
So out in the stable lay the baby boy
Who would never, never commit any sin
And who would make a sad place, a place of joy.

He died for our sins . . . yours and mine
So please remember him at Christmas time.

I love how the message of the manger that inspired my words back then still inspires them today. Joy to the world! Joy to us all!

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

*I write a poem for the holidays — how do you express your creativity during the Christmas season?

Comments

  1. thanks, Cheryl…i sent me ‘snailmail’ address to your emailbox ;)

  2. I love it! I don’t think I have read it before. I especially love the 4th stanza.

  3. You smoked my seventh grade self!

  4. Thanks, Kristin & Shawn! Glad you enjoyed this little piece of my history :)

  5. That’s a good poem no matter what age you were, but especially since only seventh grade. Most adults couldn’t come up with that.

  6. Cheryl, that is special! I understand how you had to restrain yourself from rewriting – there is NO WAY I want to show my art from 7th grade! Thank you for sharing.

  7. I’m impressed not just by the poem, but by the fact that you’ve maintained that tradition and love of writing for so long. My traditions and writing have been sporadic, at best. Keep it up!

  8. You mentioned that you were an “ordinary girl.” I can’t imagine that you were ever ordinary. You certainly aren’t now.

  9. Thanks, Janice & Leslie, for your kind words about my poem — and Leslie, welcome to my blog!

    Jana, I know you totally understand how hard it was for me not to rewrite. As creative sorts, we almost always see something we can improve, don’t we? Especially from our early work! :)

    Debbie, what a sweet thing to say. Thank you!!

  10. Cheryl – I love your 7th grade poem and please resist all temptations to rewrite any word or line. As you said it is a part of your history, and even in the 7th grade you were destined to be a writer. Christmas blessings to you and yours.

  11. In my opinion this is excellent writing for a seventh grader. I’m very impressed! Of course, I’m always impressed by you, my friend. You are truly a very special person, and I am so thankful for our friendship!

    Oh, I think the question was, “how do you show your creativity at Christmas time” (or something like that) My answer is, I usually write half a story, or half a poem, or start a painting. Seems I rarely finish them. And when I do finish, it’s usually long after Christmas is over.

  12. Mairead and Jeneal, thanks so much! I’m glad everyone is enjoying this peek at my early writing :)

    Jeneal, maybe next year you can finish one of your creative Christmas efforts before the season gets so busy. By the way, I treasure our friendship, too!

  13. Oh what a wonderful poem!! I am so impressed that you wrote this at such a young age.

  14. Amazing Cheryl. Enjoyed the poem and so great you kept it! Someday when you are a famous author this will be worth a lot of money. :) Seriously, though, even if you don’t become famous it will be a cherished keepsake for your girls.

  15. Thanks so much, Alicia and Debbie! Debbie, I have a feeling it will fall into the keepsake category rather than fame category :)

  16. I still have copies of old writings from my teen years as well. What fun! Thanks for sharing yours with us. :-)

  17. Glad you saved some of yours, too, Vonda. Neat keepsakes for our kids someday :)

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