The House That Never
Had a Christmas
By Abigail Shaffer
There was a little house
That was happy all spring long.
When the birds chirped cheerfully,
He was glad to sing along.
He always smiled in the summer,
When his yard was filled with play.
His little family laughed and sang
Through every long, hot day.
And then it was the autumn,
When all the leaves would fall,
That he would think to himself,
“I love this season most of all.”
But the next season was the hardest.
When winter came, he was sad,
Because he knew Christmas was coming
And he’d be left alone by the kids, Mom, and Dad.
You see, he had never seen a Christmas.
Not a single one.
Every time his family returned,
Christmas would be done.
He’d never seen a Christmas tree,
He’d never seen a sparkly light.
He’d never watched a Christmas movie,
Or heard “Oh Holy Night.”
He wanted to be a part of the joy
That was this special time.
He wasn’t decorated like other houses,
And he felt so left behind.
“But maybe this once,” He thought, with hope,
“There will be decorations there.
Perhaps it’ll be the first time
They light a yule log here.”
He hoped and he hoped
And he wished on a star
And when he went to sleep
He prayed very hard.
The very next morning
He awoke on Christmas Eve,
Feeling rather nervous
Because it was the day his family would leave.
But what did he see that morning
That filled his heart with joy?
His family decorating a Christmas tree,
Every man, woman, girl, and boy!
Then it was the big day!
The house was filled with cheer.
The kids opened their stockings
And to the house it was very clear.
Christmas is a time of family.
And to him it had been the reason
That he had wanted to share it with the family he loved,
For Christmas is the very best season.
