December 11: Getting Christmas Cards, Ted Kooser, "Christmas Mail"

I am probably one of the few people in the world who enjoys sending and receiving Christmas cards.  One of the greatest joys of this season is going home at the end of the day and checking the mail.  Usually, there's one or two envelopes from relatives and friends whom I haven't seen all year long.  For a few moments, I think of those people--a good memory of a good time--and then I say a little prayer for them.  That's a Christmas tradition of mine.

So, let Saint Marty know if you want to be on his Christmas Card list.  He has some extra room.

Christmas Mail

by:  Ted Kooser

Cards in each mailbox,

angel, manger, star and lamb,

as the rural carrier,

driving the snowy roads,

hears from her bundles

the plaintive bleating of sheep,

the shuffle of sandals,

the clopping of camels.

At stop after stop,

she opens the little tin door

and places deep in the shadows

the shepherds and wise men,

the donkeys lank and weary,

the cow who chews and muses.

And from her Styrofoam cup,

white as a star and perched

on the dashboard, leading her

ever into the distance,

there is a hint of hazelnut,

and then a touch of myrrh.