A Christmas Poem for Josiah

My son, Josiah, just turned one year old a couple days ago, and this Christmas was his first. As a celebration of the joy that he brings to Rachel and me, I wrote this poem for him, and I thought I'd share it with you. (Josiah himself was more interested in wrapping paper than the poem when we read it to him, but maybe someday he'll appreciate it.)

You are my joy, little one, little son.

Many things I love to see,

But one I love most of all—

I love to see you in your mother’s arms,

Beaming joy at me.

I love the way you march about

With arms upraised,

The way you growl and shout

Your excitement to the world,

The way you clap your hands

And wiggle your hips to music,

The way you laugh whenever we chase you

Or surprise, or tickle you.

All the work and labor we put into you

(And it is a lot of work, little son!)

Is repaid a thousand times over

Every time I see you smile.

May God’s grace fill you up this Christmas,

Little one, little son,

And may it overflow in marches and shouts

And clapping of hands,

In dancing and laughing and play,

And in a hundred smiles for me.

You are my joy, little one, little son,

And this day—this Christmas Day—

And forever,

I will love you, and love you, and love you,

In fondness and delight.