Silent Night Poem by Jim Yerman

I love taking my morning walks in the silence of the night…
and thinking how, for me, this Christmas…all is calm and all is bright.

But this morning as I walked in the silence of the night…
my thoughts turned to those whose Christmas is not all calm and bright.

To those whose families have been torn apart by war…
who, with bombs dropping live in constant fear and fright…
whose only Christmas wish this year is for a silent night.

To those who are oppressed across this world…who aren't as lucky as me…
whose love, joy and laughter is muffled by hatred and bigotry….
whose only Christmas wish is they be allowed to be…
the people in this world who they were meant to be.

To those who are sick this Christmas…whose family has amassed…
whose only Christmas wish is that they be here
when next Christmas comes to pass.

To those who are alone this Christmas…missing someone they love and lost…
whose only Christmas wish is that someday…
in another world…again their paths will cross.

As I walk this morning…
surrounded by my family and friends' joy, laughter and love
these are the people this silent night…I can't stop thinking of.

People whose wishes go far beyond any present found under a Christmas tree….
and the only gift I can offer is…one prayer…from one person…me.

And so this silent night I figuratively wrap my arms around each and every one of you
hoping this unfamiliar and distant love…you will feel too.

Which makes me wonder…if we literally wrap our arms around each other
and hold each other tight….
if we'd all sleep a more heavenly peace…
in the silence of the night.