Gardener's Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas at the gardener’s house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

Tulips bulbs were placed in the refrigerator with care

 To be planted in January that soon would be there.

The ferns and tropicals had been moved inside

So, that during a freeze they’d not wither and die.

The gardener removed gloves and worn, floppy hat

To settle down for a long winter’s nap.

When out in the flowerbed there arose such a clatter

The gardener sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

She threw on her jacket, torn and grimy from wear

And sturdy rubber boots to see what was going on out there!

When what to her wondering eyes should appear

But a miniature wheelbarrow pulled by eight tiny reindeer

With a little old driver, all dressed in tweed

She knew in a moment it must be St. Seed!

His eyes- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

As he unloaded holly bushes loaded with berries.

Daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, and more

He planted the yard with bushes and bulbs galore!

 

He pruned the summer’s muscadine vines

Curving them into festive twig wreaths divine.

Then out to the hothouse he ran in a rush

To clean the garden tools with a stiff wire brush.

From his wheelbarrow, he grabbed a bag of 10-10-10

And fertilized the whole yard with the strength of ten men!

He dug up azaleas that weren’t getting enough light

And moved them to a sunnier spot to bloom big and bright.

Out of his gift sack he pulled the best gift,

Two cold frames so large he could hardly lift!

He placed them on the south side, vegetables to hold

Where tender plants could grow despite the cold.

His work almost done down the chimney he slid

And into the gardener’s stocking he hid

Gardening catalogs filled with varieties of seeds

And everything else a gardener could need.

Then out of a pocket in his green tweed coat

He retrieved for the gardener a very special note.

“With every seed, be reminded of Jesus and His birth

A promise of new life for all who are on Earth.”

“We need earthly gardeners to spread the news far and wide

Gardeners to nurture the grace that God’s covenant provides.

Sow heavenly seeds among people everywhere;

The Savior is born and all sin He will bear!”

Then he sprang up the chimney, to his reindeer gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down on a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

“Happy Gardening to all, and to all a good-night!”