Christmas Alone

I am sitting all alone on Christmas Eve,
The snow's drifting now, there's no way I can leave.
Staring at the fire feeling sorry for myself,
My eyes shift up to a fam'ly picture on the shelf.

It's the very first Christmas I'll spend on my own.
Wonder what everybody's doing back home.
I pour a cup of hot chocolate; settle back in my chair,
I take a little sip then I wipe away a tear.

It was then God spoke, He said, "I know how you feel.
That ache inside is oh, so real.
That first Christmas day was for me a sad one.
I had to spend it without my only Son."

Right then I decided to make the most of my time.
I picked up the phone; got my fam'ly on the line.
They say everyone's well and they miss me so much.
We talk for a while about the weather and such.

We say our good-byes and I hang up the phone.
Sure, I still have to spend this Christmas alone.
But there's a warmth now inside, though we are apart.
As I stir up the fire, something stirs in my heart.

It was then God spoke, He said, "I know how you feel.
That warmth inside is oh, so real.
That first Christmas day, Mary gave birth,
To my only Son, sent to save the whole earth."

I get down Grandma's Bible with the pages all worn,
Read that first Christmas story 'bout when Jesus was born.
There's a lump in my throat as I reach the end,
So thankful to God for His Son He did send.

The true meaning of Christmas I now realize.
I drop to my knees with tears in my eyes.
I pour out my heart as I kneel on the floor.
His love now consumes me as never before.

It was then God spoke, He said, "I know how you feel.
That love inside is oh, so real.
That first Christmas day it was love that I gave,
When I sent my Son, your own soul to save."

I am sitting all alone on Christmas Eve.
The snow's drifting now there's no way I can leave.
Staring at the fire knowing everything's all right.
I'll always treasure the gift God gave to me that night.

This poem was a finalist in the December 2011 poetry contest