As neighbours gather and the doors are opened 

we enter a space with pine-filled air. 

Like star speckled sky, trees gently glimmer 

and the whisper of Christmas is finally shared. 

A festival-forest of love and laughter; 

A winter-wood where no branch is bare. 

So celebrate all that is good this season 

and the ever-green life of the Christ-child we share. 

(c) Susannah Underwood 2019