'Tis the season for poetic reflection

Today Neighbors has a couple of Christmas poems for you, one by a well-known person, another by a local resident.

The first was written by Ruth Bell Graham, the late wife of evangelist Billy Graham who, some of you may remember, held a crusade in Fargo in 1987.

This poem comes from a book of Ruth Graham's poems owned by Virgene "Gene" Frenette, Moorhead, who passed away just last month.

It is titled "Christmas reverie."

There will be less someday --

much less.

and there will be More:

less to distract

and amuse;

More, to adore;

less to burden

and confuse;

More, to undo

the cluttering of centuries,

that we might view

again, That which star

and angels

pointed to;

we shall be poorer --

and richer;

stripped-and free:

for always there will be a Gift,

always

a Tree!

Now, a poem by Jim Hebert, Fargo:

It is titled, "Where There's Life-There's Hope."

I said a prayer for you today.

I thought perhaps, just maybe

The Lamb of God would hear me pray.

So I asked the Advent Baby.

I asked the newborn Savior-to-be

If He would make your spirit new.

He, the Creator of Wise Men three,

Can perform even miracles for you.

I prayed that every stork and goose

And every bird that sings

Would fill you with the joyful news

That the Babe of Bethlehem brings.

I ask God "bless you," I pray,

With the riches that only He gives.

Come, let us celebrate His birthday

For Jesus Christ still lives!

And now, to close out this last column before Christmas, here is the first stanza of the carol which, when sung in church, or by organizations, choral groups, families or anybody, somehow makes the observance of Christmas complete:

Silent night, holy night!

All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon virgin mother and child

Holy infant so tender and mild;

Sleep in heavenly peace . . .

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Merry and most blessed Christmas to all you neighbors!

If you have an item of interest for this column, mail it to Neighbors, The Forum, Box 2020, Fargo, ND 58107, fax it to 241-5487 or email blind@forumcomm.com .