'Twas the day after Christmas and all through the town,

The holidays were over, and everything was starting to settle down.

The trees were unlit, the presents were gone

But the new-fallen snow still sprinkled the lawn.

The children were to be found nowhere near their beds,

Instead they were outside on new bikes, with helmets on their heads.

The parents were tired, but had great relief

The main event was over - now to pack up the wreaths.

It was time for the lights and merriment to come down once more

For we all know that undecorating is the world's most depressing chore.

Away the ornaments went, lights gone with a flash

Throw away the used wrapping paper-- oh look! Unclaimed cash!

The red and green were gone, now to welcome the New Year

Let's pray next year is better-- this one left us trembling with fear.

Exchanges were made and stores were still packed,

Last minute repairs were made to ornaments that had cracked.

Nativity scenes went back to their bubble wrap and up to the attic,

Thank goodness Christmas music is finally over-- we've just about had it!

More rapid than eagles, The day had flown by

People cried out and looked up to the sky:

"Now New Years! Now Valentine's! Now Saint Patty's Day!

On sparklers! On chocolates! On shamrocks - hurray!

From the uncorking champagne to that bottle of green beer

Now get on with it! get on with it! get on with the new year!"

Relatives come in for the holidays, this fact is quite known

But the day after Christmas they finally go home!

So off to their homelands away they all flew

The aunties, the uncles, and all the cousins too!

For although we love all our family, both near and far

Sometimes they can act...well, a little bizarre.

So as I drove to the airport with family in tow

We came to a halt-- traffic was moving pretty slow.

My cousin squirmed in the car, all dressed in fur from his head to his foot

His laces were untied, so his shoe on the center console he did put.

I tied his shoe quickly, for how to do so himself he didn't know.

I turned around to face the front and we were starting to go!

We arrived at the airport with few minutes to spare

They ran through security, boarded the plane, and took to the air.

I drove home alone and thought about the surely-awaiting cleaning activities

For New Years was coming fast and we had to prepare for festivities.

I arrived at my abode and saw that it had been de-Christmasfied

The lights gone from the front, the garland from the side.

I walked in to find the Christmas leftovers crowding the table

There was so much food! Finishing it... would we be able?

We wrapped some of it up and stuck it in the fridge

The pie would be gone soon, so I saved myself a smidge.

I went to the living room where there was wrapping paper on the floor

It made me a little bit sad-- isn't Christmas about something more?

I asked my dad and in his eyes he got a strange look,

He went to a shelf and grabbed an old, leather-bound book.

He read me a story about a baby king

But this one was special--no jewels and no rings.

"His name is Jesus," Dad said. "He was born in a manger.

He came from humble beginnings, but when He grew up, He became a real world changer."

"So that's the meaning of Christmas?" I asked in a manner most polite

"Happy birthday to Jesus, for He is the light."