On the night before Christmas

It’s Christmas Eve, and in my head the candy canes are dancing
       While songs of reindeer on the roof remind me I like prancing.
       I’m s’posed to be in bed. Instead, I prance and dance and leap.
       It’s Christmas Day tomorrow! How can anybody sleep?
       I hear Mom’s footsteps on the stairs and jump back into bed.
       She sits right down beside me and begins to pat my head.
       She tells a bedtime story of how Christmas came to be
       That makes me feel all quiet as she speaks so lovingly
       About a tiny baby whose first crib was in some straw,
       Surrounded by sweet animals who mooed and cooed in awe.
       She tells me of the angel who woke shepherds with bright light
       To share a message of great joy that echoed through the night:
       “For unto you is born today a Savior—Christ, the Lord!”
       That baby born on Christmas Day was God’s own Son adored!
       And suddenly the sky was filled with crowds of angels singing 
       About the peace and love for us that Jesus Christ was bringing.
       The shepherds smiled in wonder, and the little lambs and sheep
       Felt snuggled by our Father-Mother Love and fell asleep. 
       Mom’s telling me a special star was shining high above.
       But I am falling fast asleep with Christmas thoughts of love.