I’ve thought before 

On a Christmas morn,

When I wake and think of the hay in the barn,

And smell the moisture in the air

Of clouds nestling down,

Putting a foggy dew

On the ground, that is resting from 

A summer’s long work

Of pushing up leaves

And pulling down roots,

And producing the fruit on the trees,

Like pecans and peaches,

And the legumes we just dug 

After the frost, like the peanuts I smell 

Roasting in the oven in their shells,

Already, this morning, for breakfast,

How lucky I am

To be a part

Of the heart of god,

Like you are,

Here on the farm,

Where we can see

So much of the world 

Unfolding so naturally,

So beautifully designed.

I wouldn’t trade this time with you

For anything.

I wouldn’t even trade this dream

Of Christmas morning

For all the toys in Santa’s bag,

Or all the money in First National Bank,

Or all the plastic fame in California, 

OR all the tea in China.

I love this treasure I hold in my mind,

The blessings I find when I go there,

The Everyday Overflow of Joy I find,

Knowing this great kingdom of god

Is growing inside me,

Like the beautiful brown peanut fields of Christmastime

That lie waiting fallow for the winter wheat,

That was sown in cold autumn, and waits to sprout 

Green leaves of hope in winter, 

And yield its first fruits late spring.

I wouldn’t trade my love for you

For anything,

The bright light of your heart and eyes,

The smile on your face,

The love I see moving you

From place to place 

Planting seeds of grace throughout each day.

You are very lovely.

Merry Christmas 

-jenn