T'was a month
before Christmas,
And all through the
town,
People wore masks,
That covered their
frown.
The frown had begun
Way back in the
Spring,
When a global
pandemic 
Changed everything.
They called it
corona,
But unlike the
beer,
It didn’t bring
good times,
It didn’t bring
cheer.
Contagious and
deadly,
This virus spread fast,
Like a wildfire
that starts
When fuelled by gas
Airplanes were
grounded,
Travel was banned.
Borders were closed
Across air, sea and
land.
As the world
entered lockdown
To flatten the
curve,
The economy halted,
And folks lost
their verve.
From March to July
We rode the first
wave
People stayed home,
They tried to
behave.
When summer emerged
The lockdown was
lifted.
But away from
caution,
Many folks drifted.
Now it’s November
And cases are
spiking,
Wave two has
arrived,
Much to our
disliking.
Frontline workers,
Doctors and nurses 
Try to save people,
From riding in
hearses.
This virus is
awful,
This COVID-19.
There isn’t a cure.
Not yet a vaccine.
It’s true that this
year
Has had sadness a
plenty,
We’ll never forget
The year 2020.
And just ‘round the
corner -
The holiday season,
But why be merry?
Is there even one
reason
To decorate the
house
And put up the
tree,
When no one will
see it,
No one but me.
But outside my
window
The winter now calls,
And I think to
myself,
Let’s deck the
halls!
So, I gather the
ribbon,
The garland and
bows,
As I play those old
carols,
My happiness grows.
Christmas is not
cancelled
And neither is
hope.
If we lean on each
other,
I know we can cope 
The Best We Could Hope
© Jonathan Shaw, November 2020
What’s the best we could hope for when Covid
appeared?
Attacking the lifestyle that we all held dear
A ruthless new virus infecting our world
New phrases and habits were quickly required
A more equitable world for us all seemed in store
As we focussed on others and cared for them more
We saw nature revived after years of neglect
We cherished its beauty and gave our respect
The first phase united as we flattened the curve
Supporting the front line was our way to serve
Re-opening the schools was then our resolve
Despite all the work we knew it would involve
What’s the best we can hope for as year-end draws
near?
Will the country re-open and permit Christmas
cheer?
A glimmer of hope that restrictions
might end
Once more see our loved ones - our family and
friends
An uncertain Christmas was faced that first year
With Joseph and Mary and due date come near
Their treacherous travel by night and by day
An essential journey far beyond their 5k
Hospitality industry brought to its knees
As the village was crowded at Caesar’s decree
A shortage of beds led to desperate trouble
And the two were confined to their own social
bubble
And while they cocooned in their hay-filled pod
That night was birthed the unique son of God
A hope for the nations, the Saviour appeared
The way back to God now through Jesus secured
The prophets foretold the forgiveness of sin
Death being defeated through his rising again
“Cheated death many times” as some might say
For 33 years till that fateful day
But the author of life they couldn’t suppress
As he rose from the grave with unmatched success
Died but then risen and true hope secured
Now death need not have the final word
What's the best we can hope for as we try to move
on?
Will all this be over? Will Covid be gone?
We’re still here together caught up in the struggle
Unable to rescue ourselves from this trouble
‘All in this together’ but parted by choice
Divided by preference - no unified voice.
It was all in our hands to defeat this attack
But the progress soon stalled, before being pushed
back
What if Covid is not the main thing we all fear
But the death that it leads to, it's ugly head
reared
Behind closed doors we’d supressed it away
Brought out in the open as Covid held sway
Our new main objective: to suppress once again
The truth of mortality, journeyed with pain
The death rate may slip as the cases decline
But the truth still remains: one in every one dies.
We push it aside and prefer not to think
What lies just beyond when we come to the brink
Yet fear is defeated when death holds no fear
Not just for Christmas but all through the year
This truth lights the way through the darkness of
life
And always gives hope through the struggle and
strife
Jesus at Christmas – you mightn’t think twice
But had you considered this hope could suffice?
Jesus the Saviour is truly good news
Death is defeated and true life ensues
What’s the best we can hope for at Christmas this
year?
A socially-distanced, uneventful affair
But “lift your eyes higher”, that’s Christmas’s
call
Fear of death cancelled. That’s the best hope of
all.
The Best We Could Hope
© Jonathan Shaw (2020)
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