Is Christmas the smell of evergreen,
The jingle of bells on a sleigh;
Is Christmas the laughter of children,
The greeting of friends in the way?
Is Christmas the lighting of candles,
The hanging of wreaths on the door;
Is Christmas the welcome of loved ones?
Yes, Christmas is this, and more.

For Christmas echoes from angels
Its message of peace, good will;
And Christmas tells of a manger
On a calm Judean hill,
Where shepherds bowed and worshipped
As God incarnate slept,
And it’s only as we kneel with them
That our Christmas is truly kept.

I am very sad to say that Verna passed away on October 4th, 2004, aged 93