A Gaelic Kraut Christmas Poem by D.N. Rebb

To a pleasant Winter Solstice celebration
Burn the yule log to counter mid-winter darkness
Magical, health giving mistletoe formations
To keep the evil spirits at bay, a ring of holly ‘n ivy bless

Clean ‘n polish your boots ‘n leave ‘em outside your door
St Nick will fill ‘em with nuts, candy and small gifts
For naughty kids, he brings his devilish sidekick to care for
Hard lessons taught by Krampus to all those in need of a clearer shift

Welcome Mary ‘n Joseph with a candle in the window
Tonight's meal is followed by the killing of the wren
Leave a laden table of bread within your front chateau
For the less fortunate, or for any visiting wise men

Open one window each countdown day on your dawning calendar
Or light a candle on your sacred advent wreath vine
Dried flowers ‘n ornaments surrounded by pine cones ‘n trimmed fir
Perhaps, a visit to a local market to enjoy some ‘Gluehwein'

Undergo the Feast of the Immaculate Conception Prayer
Or experience a midnight mass on Christmas Eve,
The Forty Foot Christmas Day swim hangover cure
Or even the St Stephen's Day's horse race as a relief

For those adventurous types, savor a ‘Feuerzangenbowle'
Partake too much, skip the caroling and grab a nap instead
Reawake with potato salad and boiled sausage on a roll
For dessert, a bit of delicious homemade gingerbread

Decorate your Christmas tree with shiny tinsel baubles
Did you see the Christkind this year from your window?
It never leads to any past year's troubles,
Just a need for a Merry Christmas to flow

Nollaig Shona Duit! (No Leg Show Na Ditch)
Frohe Weihnachten! (Fro Aye Vy Na RR Ten)