Second Sunday of December

Second Sunday of December (Cherolyn Klosner Lane)

Uncle Neill'd stay busy making all the final plans
Telling everyone, "The night is drawing near!
At six, we'll meet at Nearys'
Make our way to Aunt JoAnne's
The second Sunday of December's almost here!"

On the second Sunday of December
In Omaha, Nebraska every year
Families from all across that dear old town of mine
Would gather for a night of Christmas cheer
Hundreds bundled warm in scarves and mittens
Would sing the songs of Christmas through the snow
Caroling from door to door throughout the neighborhood
Dreaming of a fire to warm our toes

Then everybody'd meet at the home on Everitt Street
And squeeze around the burning Yule log
To hear the favorite Christmas tales we longed to hear once more
And feast on plates of cookies and a cup of Jerry's grog

Mary Ann would tell us 'bout a soldier
Whose mother prayed for Christmas he'll be home
Whenever Bob would read "The Little Match Girl"
I would see a tear slip down the cheek of Uncle John
"'Twas the Night Before Christmas," told as only Vince could do
Would fill the house with thunderous applause
Children's eyes'd fly open wide in wondrous delight
When Dad appeared dressed as Santa Claus

At midnight, all would stand, bowing heads and holding hands
To thank the Lord for blessings from above
With a "Happy Birthday, Jesus!"
Oh, no feeling could compare
Being joined in prayer by all the ones we loved

Now, the kids back then are grown, with children
Folks have moved away
We're lucky, Christmas Day, to get back home
Around the fire, the family sings and tells the tales we love
Told to us so many years ago
And just when I begin to think we'll never know again
Those second Sunday memories held so dear
Tiny voices ask to hear the story of
"The Second Sunday of December" every year