Hi Everyone, I just wanted to wish everyone a very merry Christmas, and as my
contribution, please find my Christmas Ode to Celebrants (with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863 and his revered poem 'Twas the Night before Christmas).
Christmas Ode to Celebrants
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through my house,
Heaps of creatures were stirring, not least the mouse.
The stockings were hung, by the open window with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there.
My children were nestled, all snug in their beds
But I was up late, no words in my head.
My husband was snoring, after a late nightcap,
But I sat with computer, no thoughts of a nap.
The couple were marrying, late on Boxing Day,
And I, as their celebrant, had no words to say.
They wanted hand-fasting, unity candles and sand,
Readings and poems and a heavy metal band.
They had ring bearers, pages and nine bridesmaids,
Taffeta, tulle, lace and brocade,
Caterers, orchestra, videos and Skype,
Even a pergola and me wired up to a mike!
My head was hurting, trying to fit it all in,
When out on the lawn, there arose a great din.
I sprang from my seat, and flew like a bird,
Tore open the window, to check what I heard.
The moon gave no clue, in the still and dark night,
But the scene became clear in the security light.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
Was a huge, hulking sleigh and eight big reindeer!
My husband had drunk, but I not a drop,
So this scene before me, was surely a prop,
By some well meaning friends, planting a find,
Or my dearly beloved, a kind gesture in mind.
But there sprang from the sleigh, a driver dressed in red,
He was in singlet and shorts, with a hat on his head,
A bundle of wedding things peeked from his back,
And he looked like a book-seller, opening his pack.
His eyes, how they twinkled and his dimples how merry,
His cheeks were like roses and his nose like a cherry.
He looked at me, and I looked at him,
What on earth was he doing, this backyard crim?
I thought he was a tramp, camped in my yard,
And I opened my mouth, to shout long and hard.
'I could call the reindeer, and name them by name,'
He offered as excuse, but it sounded quite lame.
'I've seriously come, to help you by dawn,
To gift you the words, this isn't a con.'
I knew in a flash, he was just what was needed,
To make sense of it all, his advice I heeded.
Who knew St. Nick was a celebrant disguised?
Of course - Christmas is ceremony, I then realised.
Words dashed and they darted, and we created a storm
And put all of the ideas into some sort of form.
By morning, my ceremony was almost complete,
St. Nick and I sat quietly, fully replete.
I thanked him for his help, but was suddenly afraid
That his Christmas journey had not been made.
Oh my, oh dear, could I be the reason
Christmas is cancelled, the end of the season?
My distress quite clear, in a flash of insight -
How selfish was I, working Santa all night!
'Don't worry about that,' he said with a smile,
The magic of Christmas is recorded on file,
With a snap of my fingers, and a crack of the whip,
All presents are delivered, in less than a snip.
'But you, dear Celebrant, all through the year,
Spread the cheer of Christmas to all that can hear,
You share in the joy, and their sorrows as well,
And cast magic before you, and watch it swell.
My real gift in life is to help you create,
Put wishes inside every good person's fate,'
He stacked up his books, put a bow on the top,
'These are a gift to you, so the good words don't stop.'
He tipped his head, and gave me a wink,
'I'll see you next Christmas - I'll come in a blink.'
He turned to his sleigh, called reindeer by name,
Just as the words of the poem, exactly the same.
'Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet! On Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall,
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all! '
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle.
I heard him exclaim, as he flew with his deer,
'To celebrants all, I wish you great cheer.'
'May the gift of your words light someone's life,
And the New Year be a celebration of life'
And I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
'Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night'
Nancy Batenburg
Registered Civil Celebrant
Dream Dancer Celebrations
Darwin, NT
