Christmas Again

Published in The White County News, December 21, 2017.

Christmas is here again, and I have more of a story than a memory to share with you.

In searching for something to say in my annual Solstice/ Christmas/New Year’s letter, I looked into my mother’s book of poetry, Gifts from the Heart: A Poetry Journey. The next-to-the-last chapter of the book is entitled, “Christmas Again”. Within the chapter are a few pieces, including a poem that she wrote to be sung to the tune of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”

I don’t know when she wrote it, and I only recall singing it with family in my adulthood, not as a child. With apologies to my mom, I did not care much for it. I think it is the Victorian tune that I do not like. But in reading the poem, rather than singing it, it spoke to me.

My mom, Ruth Scarr Inglis, was born on Easter Day, 1924, and she died during Advent, 2011. Many of you may have known her. She and my dad, Pete, lived in Demorest for several years and they visited this area for decades.

Ruth cherished the holidays, both Easter and Christmas, and searched deeply for meaning in this life.

Six years have passed, already, since my mom left us. It is Christmas again.

Hear her words. Feel free, even, to sing them. And, thank you Mom, for this great message for the season.

Christmas Again

By Ruth S. Inglis

The tree in all its splendor trimmed;

The stockings by the chimney hung,

The Gospel story has been read –

The old familiar carols sung.

Throughout the world, mankind awaits

Hopefully to hear again

The only message of true worth –

The angel’s glorious refrain!

Men, women, children all await –

And work and pray for that day when

At last there will be peace on earth;

And in its wake, good will to men!

Note: Gifts from the Heart: A Poetry Journey, by Ruth S. Inglis, is available in several public and academic libraries.