Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

There once was a fam’ly in colors,
For each couple a color that matched,
So together they stood
And the picture was good.
Not one from the other detached.

The dad’s getting weary of poems,
And so, we are told, are his friends;
So he’s making it short
So that none will retort
That the poems don’t seem to have ends.

So here is your greeting for this year:
Let your hearts be aglow with the news
Of the Christ and his birth,
And of gladness and mirth
And the mercy and life that ensues.

You see? that was short, unencumbered,
And simple, and right to the point.
If you want to know more,
Go to church (it’s next door)
And holler us out, at our joint!

Blue – Burnie and Amanda (and baby on the way!)
Red – Andy and Kristy, Sarah and David
Tan – Peter
Maroon – John and Alissa
Also maroon – Joey (with the beard)
Grey – Michael
Green – mom and dad

God rest ye merry,
this Christmas 2012 and always –
the Eckardt family

Brown –  Reggie

Christmas Greetings!

  ♪♫ Oh, there’s no one inside, it’s frightful, 

  But the calm is so delightful,

  And the boys are all now full grown: 

  Let them go, let them go, let them go!

  Now a year’s passed us by since weddings, 

  Of Burnell and John who gave rings

  To Amanda, Alissa trothed: 

  Let them go, let them go, let them go!

            Andy’s fam’ly’s now Kristy Ann

            And the grandchildren! Yes, they are grand!

            And when Sarah and David come,

            All the old home’s brightly warmed!

  Now that Joey and Michael both flew 

  Off to school at Eastern Ill.— U.

  There’s only we two at home; 

  Let them go, let them go, let them go!

Far away, for theology;

Peter’s gone for a year: Germany;

He’ll return in July, that’s when

Everyone’s home once again!

  And the rest’ll be here for Christmas 

 When we’ll fill again our house-nest;

 Happy times till they’re on their way— 

 Let them go, let them go, let them go!  

 God rest ye merry* this Christmas 2011 and always!

 The Eckardt family

 *Our annual tagline from the carol “God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen” is a paraphrase of the  tidings to Bethlehemshepherds (the “gentlemen”) from the angel: “Fear not (“God rest ye merry”), for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”