"Twas the Month Before Christmas"

The following poem was created and read by our very own Lori Snyder at our holiday Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meeting (we love Lori and her talents!)...

Twas the month before Christmas
And all through the ward
Every sister was stirring
And no one was bored.

Gingerbread houses were crafted with care
While the scent of tamales hung in the air.
The cookies were baking all snug in the ovens,
To be given to friends, neighbors, and cousins.

And the Paynes in new PJs and Thomasons in theirs,
Had just driven off – luminarias to share.
Then out in the kitchen there arose such a clatter
Jill Decker’s Dutch pancakes had started to spatter.

When what to my wondering ears should I hear,
But the Lenbergs’ sweet music bringing good cheer.
And there with her wassail and Yule log in tow,
I saw Katie Bergstrom with new husband, Joe.

More rapid than eagles the sisters did fly
And I whistled and shouted as they scurried by,
Hi Brandy, Hi Christi, Hi Tami, and Chelsie,
Bye Anna, Bye J’mi, Bye Glenna, and Kari!

To the school, to the grocery, to the church, to the mall,
Now drive away, drive away, drive away all!

As Cheryl J. and family were strolling in Old Town
Pam’s family was writing their next year’s goal down.
Then up to the attic the sisters they flew
Bringing down ornaments – some old and some new.

And then in a twinkling I saw Sister Moses
Check all the stockings for notes in the toeses.
As I looked out the window, the Sigmonds drove by,
On their way to the temple, the manger to spy.

And there are the Humphries and others, I see,
Listening to music and the First Presidency.
The choir is singing of that “Silent Night”
While President Monson, sits bathed in the light.

His eyes – how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks are like roses, his nose like a cherry.
As he weaves a story of Christmases past
We all pray that this feeling of pure love will last.

Oh, the sisters were busy, each a jolly fun elf
And I smiled as I watched them in spite of myself.
Sister Reed was preparing her rich oyster stew,
While Jessi Allen concocted her dessert fondue.

Christmas Eve soon arrived with all of its work.
The sisters were ready, not one was beserk.
Dinners were served, Chinese take-out was eaten
Carols were sung, games played and no one was cheatin’.

Well-loved nativities were arranged under the tree
Luke’s story was read, then prayers on bended knee.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicklaus soon would be there.

The month now was over, the scurrying was done.
The sisters were tired but happy, each single one.
And I heard them exclaim as they turned out the light,
“Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”