POEM: Sentimental Pleasures
A gentle snow is falling slow outside
the windows. Pine and nutmeg, orange and clove
like incense scent the pleasant air inside.
There’s apple cider mulling on the stove,
and gentle snow is falling slow outside.
We deck the halls with baubles, lights, and bells,
a wrap of burlap garland, potpourri.
The vinyl spins, and Perry Como tells
the Noël tale, while on our fresh-cut tree,
we’re hanging Christmas baubles, lights, and bells.
The newborn Christ is watching from the crèche,
where Mary in her virgin arms holds close
the ageless Son of God in infant flesh.
He came for us, this babe in swaddling clothes,
the newborn Christ who’s watching from the crèche.
For us — for this — Emmanuel has come:
for common Christmas joys, goodwill to men,
the sentimental pleasures of our home,
for peace on earth, hot chocolate from a tin —
for all of this, and more, our Lord has come.
Please subscribe to Josh Bishop writes if you haven’t already done so. All posts are always free: simply choose the free option when you sign up — but I also invite you to support me financially with a paid option if you wish.
If you liked this post, please forward and share with your friends. It really helps.
Check out my other Substack publications:
If you’d like express your gratitude and contribute to my work, you can buy me a coffee on Ko-fi.
©2025 Josh Bishop, joshbishopwrites.com