Candleshine

by Kenneth Hoffman
(Morristown, NJ , USA)

I remember Christmas in the old country -
Tramping through the snow
To choose the young tree
Which overnight will change our home;
The old made new wherever candlelight shone.
Spice of balsam decorates the air,
The hand-carved Christ Child
Placed gently there.
Baskets of holly, mistletoe and herbs -
A discovered nest remains undisturbed.
So many white candles blazing on faces,
A wonderful sight to hold our gazes!
The delight of giving warms our cheeks,
Loving goodnights and last minute peeks.