A Lifetime of Christmas Poetry
My mom, Raynette Forister Eitel, passed away in September of 2022, age
85, drifting away into dementia. It was tragic to watch this woman who loved
words, who was a poet and teacher, fade away into wordlessness after a lifetime
of crafting poetry.
Mom had a tradition of writing a new Christmas poem each year and
sending it to friends and relatives. The mailing list grew each year, and
people always told us they looked forward to mom’s Christmas poems. She
published some in a couple little books. There are too many to post just once a
day during the month of December, but I’ll choose some of the best.
Green Pastures and Angels
by Raynette Eitel
I was just a boy asleep beside my sheep
In a green pasture outside Bethlehem.
I dreamt of still waters when
An angel holding a rod and staff
Spoke of a Savior being born.
I was so afraid until I heard the music.
There, in the midnight sky, a chorus of angels
More numerous than sheep was singing such songs that
My fear vanished and my head felt anointed with oil.
Peace filled my cup and ran over.
When I started out to find the Babe that night,
Bethlehem was bathed in Holy Light.
I followed it to a humble place
And knelt in grace before a King.
Then as I left, I shouted out the good news,
Herding my sheep through Bethlehem streets,
Rejoicing as I returned to green pastures.
Goodness and mercy followed me all the way.
I am an old man now, and still I yearn
For a night sky filled with light,
For angel songs soothing
Me to sleep beside my quiet sheep,
And faith enough to dwell
In the house of the Lord forever.
Writing Rhetorically 