A Christmas Gift
Inspired by a humanitarian act witnessed by Ray J. Whittier, "A Christmas Gift" became the basis of and the title poem for his first self-published book.
"A Christmas Gift" is a collection of holiday poems from the lived life, heart, mind, and eyes of Lynn Poet Laureate, Ray J. Whittier. These poems capture classic snowy December New England coastal tales and the subtle and simple moments all year round that embody the spirit of Christmas.
These recordings were found and remastered after Ray's passing in June 2024. They capture just a few of the hundreds of poems found in the pages of his self-published book, "A Christmas Gift".
May his words and the sound of his voice bring joy and comfort to the countless friends and loved ones who knew him best. And if you're a stranger listening on a cold, December night nestled by your fire amongst the glow of twinkling lights, we hope you find a friend in them, too.
Merry Christmas.
Dedicated to Shirley Whittier, wife and loving mother of 64 years, and to Raymond and his wife Susan of Stratham, NH, Daniel and his wife Mary Ellen of Stratham, NH, and Mark and his wife Maria of Beverly; his daughters Denise Benevento and her husband Vincent of Stratham, NH, Mary Jean Raimo and her husband Michael of Beverly, Paula Funk and her husband Norman of Chaplin, CT, and Christine Moganelli and her husband Michael of Lynn; his brother John and his wife Karen of Fredericksburg, VA, his sister Judith McBriarty and her late husband John of Milford, NH; his cousins John Caldwell and his wife Clara of Ocean Ridge, FL and Patricia Chadbourne of Lynn; his friend Teddy; and his 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Created by a loving grandson, who misses his "Grampy Ted".
A Christmas Gift
Christmastime
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Has it been so very long ago?
In your lifetime and mine,
we've forgotten what it was like to be a child at Christmastime.
Remember how our small world changed as it started turning red and green?
And there were boxes and bags not supposed to be seen.
Things came out we remembered seeing the same time a year before.
Holly trays and a brown acorn wreath that Dad hung up on our front door.
Smells grew sweeter, doorways tingled, windows with spray can ice.
And a lot seemed to depend on If we were naughty or nice.
And Christmas sounded different too.
And in the air we'd hear Santa songs, bells, and choirs we hadn't heard all year.
There was a straw covered stable with animals and figures growing worn
who would wait with us for a babe to be born.
Night there were many shining lights just as far as we could see.
And in the front room corner stood a brightly covered tree.
At last, Christmas Eve and snow came.
With Santa's lunch made and stockings hung,
we hurried off to bed
to find the hottest night to sleep had come.
If we listened very carefully, we could just begin to hear
the sound of tiny neck bells on Santa's eight reined ear.
Though tucked in bed,
we were sure we could see
his fast moving sleigh
round the old chestnut tree.
We drifted off to dreamy sleep, while wondering if our home he'd find.
It's good to recall what it was like
to be a child
at Christmas time.
