Every year, I write a poem for Christmas, and send it out as a Christmas card to friends and family. In this “Advent Calendar,” I’m publishing one of my Christmas poems a day, from now until Christmas Day.

This is my second one, from 1993.

It only happens once a year
On this peculiar day
When all men join their hands as one
In an ancient, wondrous way
This joy has baffled many a man
A peace that passeth all
It’s the kind of love a child can feel
Even before he learns to crawl
This feeling came from Bethlehem
For in that little town
A miracle occurred one snowy night
The Word made flesh came down
Christmas is a blessed season
And I can only pray
That when we rise at last to heaven
It’s Christmas every day