'Twas the night before Christmas

Procrastination is the thief of time. Edward Young

It's the night before Christmas and all through the house
I'm searching for the presents, weren't they under the couch?
Christmas Day looms. There's nary a gift under the tree.
Oh mercy mercy, what will become of me?
My children will riot, my guests will disappear
and everyone will wallow in a vat of bad cheer.
I lie in my bed with my head in the covers
Telling myself, it's okay, I've got time to recover
But up on the rooftop, a thump makes it clear
Santa's arrived with his eight tiny reindeer!

I leap from my bed and exclaim with a gasp
Hold on! I'm not ready! He's here much too fast!
The cupboards are empty, no giftwrap awaits,
and I still haven't bought any (blank, blank) scotch tape.
I holler to the heavens, "What happened to the time?
Doesn't anyone realize there's been a big crime?"
The silence is deafening. The evidence is clear.
Time kept on ticking even though Christmas drew near.

I know. I know. I had months to check off my list.
But why can't Santa grant me my wish
And give me another week to get it all done?
Perhaps I need an eggnog loaded with rum.
I'm sure it will make everything all right
and fill my Christmas will all kinds of delight
I search in the cupboard and find last year's bottle,
It's empty! Oh my, is it Santa I should throttle?
Or is the thief that silly little word
That peppers my Christmas like tiny reindeer turds
And causes my heart to beat in trepidation
as I realize I've been visited by the Ghost of Procrastination!

Merry Christmas everyone. Feliz Navidad. Frohe Weihnacten. Joyeux Noel.

Whatever your tongue, whatever your faith, where ever you are in the world, may this special time of year fill your heart with love and joy. May your cupboards be laden. May your table groan beneath the weight of nourshing food and laughter. May your family tree sparkle in delight and may you be joined with those you love as you celebrate the wonder of your world all wrapped up in the spirit of Christmas.