Every year, I write a poem for Christmas, and include it in my Christmas cards to friends and family. For the days leading up to Christmas, I’m publishing all of my Christmas poems here, as a kind of Advent calendar.

Today’s poem was written in 2002.

on the darkest day of the year
  watch for a radiant light
through the longest night of the year
  watch for a dawn taking flight

in the angriest line in the mall
  watch for a small child’s eyes
in the emptiest spot on the tree
  watch for a twinkle’s surprise

with the loneliest man out to eat
  watch for a waitress who cares
in the scariest hospital room
  watch for the power of prayer

as you’re shopping for kin and for friends
  watch for all those left behind
ere you settle in for a long winter’s nap
  watch for a chance to be kind

on the noisiest christmas you’ve had
  watch for the peace in the mess
on a day in which nothing makes sense
  watch for a quiet, firm yes

Watch for the magic of Christmas
In everything you do
The magic of the season
Is watching for you too!