Two turtle doves keep partridge company!What on earth can they mean?So docile and peaceful ‘Gainst Boxing Day sales’ frantic scene! Christmas reflections continueSome teach Old and New Testament in disguise‘Twould seem Law and GraceFind balance in a manger’s surprise. (c) Dennis Ryle, December 2024
Tag Archives: Christmas
‘Twas the First Day of Christmas
Partridge, pear tree, and Christ candleHint that Christmas has not ended, but come.For retail the season has passed;For the cosmos, the feast’s just begun. Far from a Bethlehem mangerWhere cloaked figures pay their respect,In hearts given to pause and attentionThe Christ is reborn among those who reflect. We sing of twelve days for such pondering,TheContinue reading “‘Twas the First Day of Christmas”
Advent Love
Primal love ignited the cosmosAnd it could not be containedElusive in its fecundityFar beyond all that can be sustained. Yet once upon our timelineA young girl burst into songful mirthPrimal love found concentrationand became a human birth. (c) Dennis Ryle December 2024
Strange Critters from the North
As if our strange great southern landWas scarce of critters that are in no way blandWith roos and echidnas and platypi galoreWallabies and quokkas sniffing at the door It seems that December is a time to importAdditional life forms of a festive sort. “Elf on a shelf” has been around for a whileGrowing in number,Continue reading “Strange Critters from the North”
All that Glitters …
“No more glitter on the shelves,”So decree those Christmas elves,“Micro-plastics bring sad disgraceand festive cheer must make new space.” Hear the protests loud and strongCancelling Christmas? – Oh how wrong!“Fear not!” the Christmas angels sing,“Bethl’em’s manger wore no bling!” https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/major-retailers-scrapping-glittery-decorations-this-christmas-c-8407284
Thirteenth Day of Christmas
Thirteenth day of Christmas! Is there such a thing? There is a parody verse that is sometimes added to the well known 12 days song. The beloved is so overwhelmed by the noisy, messy menagerie of gifts that she wants to return them!There is a little known “13th day” observation that observes the day followingContinue reading “Thirteenth Day of Christmas”
Twelfth Day of Christmas
Twelve drummers drumming refers to the twelve dot points of the Apostle’s Creed which, in Roman Catholic tradition runs “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of theContinue reading “Twelfth Day of Christmas”
‘leventh of Christmas
I have been chided simultaneously both for being overly strict to form and too free and easy. This means I’ve got it about right. Even so, squeezing “Eleventh day of Christmas into a 5 syllable haiku opening has me bracing myself! I am told the pipers piping are the eleven faithful apostles (after Judas hasContinue reading “‘leventh of Christmas”
Tenth Day of Christmas
Refers to the commandments – the Big Ten. Tenth Day of ChristmasLords, not lizards, aleapin’!Oh, why so jumpy? If our fine “lords” followed the Big Ten, would we be in such a fine mess?
Ninth Day of Christmas
The Good Book tells us “… the [nine] fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5), and the song gives us nine ladies dancing. Ninth Day of ChristmasPirouetting, whirling danceSpirit rejoices. In the soft tones of nativity, Spirit nurtures maturity.
Wondering Pilgrim 