MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO'S MUSIC STAFF selected these from the scores of submissions received via surface mail and the Internet. Winners received a $100 gift certificate to the Galleria in Edina, Minnesota. (The winning entries are presented here in no particular order.)

I wish for you the gift of Time:
...to get out the recording and score of Handel's Messiah and sing along
...to look up that old family recipe
...to contemplate the blessings of generosity and love
...to retell stories of tenderness, joy, and laughter
...to pray, and listen.

—Cathy Barker, Granite Falls, Minnesota

May genuine peace enfold all nations in the trust of her loving arms. May we forever stay our hands and tongues from violence. May hope give meaning to our lives. May our journey be a search for justice, not revenge. May our epitaph be good deeds born of honest intent.

—Dennis E. Dolphin, Lauderdale, Minnesota

Lo, in the sky
The star shone bright,
To light the world
That lonely night.

Wisemen from the east
Saw from far away,
And knew a Savior had been born
That glorious day.

God gave the world
His only son
To bring us peace,
To unite us as one.

—Marnie Ginter, Highland Catholic School, St. Paul, Minnesota

In this season of hope and promise, may the light of Love
Fill your heart
Heal your hurts
And
Illuminate your soul.

In the seasons to come, may the light of Love
Warm your work
Guide your growth
And
Radiate from you unto other lives.

—Amy K.P. Murphy, Burnsville, Minnesota

I lift my glass to the homeless, those who do not even have a home in which to celebrate Christmas.
I lift my glass to those who need shelter and warmth on these cold Christmas days.

—Lee Ho, Highland Catholic School, St. Paul, Minnesota

The First Christmas

Little Christ Child on the hay
In a stable tucked away
In the heart of Bethlehem
Even Kings adore him.
Holy Mary without sin
Holding her holy kin.
Those Three Kings are very wise
But some don't know what's before their eyes.

—Sarah Northenscold, age 10, Maple Lake, Minnesota

Presents, presents, everywhere,
Presents, presents, that's all they care.
What happened to the importance
of the new-born king?
Selfishness, selfishness, everywhere,
Presents, presents, that's all they care.
The reason for Christmas is lost
throughout --
It is now but a question:
"What's Christmas all about?"

—Kelly Wilkie, Highland Catholic School, St. Paul, Minnesota

NOEL '97

Come to sing the
songs of Christmas -

Watch the tree
defeat the dark -

Listen to the
gongs of wisdom.

Turn the lights off when you park.

***

Touch and taste the
treats of Yule -

Part with joy
inside your heart.

Be elated -
but no fool.

Lock the doors
before you start.

—Art Schattauer, Minneapolis, Minnesota

In this Season:
Let us make music
  In the dark night
  And in the warm bright.

For someone may hear
  And
  Dance
  Or sing
  Or hum along....

—Rebekah Fisk, Minneapolis, Minnesota

A Christmas Blessing

Now is the Winter of our content
Of Christmas grace and merriment;
Time to reflect on pleasures past
And let the Christmas spirit cast
A blessing on every feast.
May joy, serenity and love -
Endowed in abundance from above,
Permeate your heart with cheer
Throughout the Season and New Year.

—Nuala Galbari, Richfield, Minnesota

A Wish

May we all have the courage and faith to allow love into our hearts.

—Morris G. Poythress, Victoria, Minnesota

For the mettle of horses, the loyalty of dogs, the steadfastness of trees, and for good friends who have all of these, we give thanks.

—Ellen Sandbeck, Duluth, Minnesota

Live each year as if it were your last. One time you'll be right.

—Daryl Hawkins, Hopkins, Minnesota

My wish is that our hearts become as servants to joy, laughter, beauty, justice and generosity, that our hearts be so absorbed by the qualities of love that life without illuminating others would not be possible.

—Linda M. Elkins, Decorah, Iowa

Live well
Do your best
Get exercise and lots of rest.
Be merry at Christmas
But laugh all year...
Make all 98 a season of cheer.

—Sue McMillan, Rochester, Minnesota

My wish for this season is compassion for our fellow man
Forgiveness for those who have wronged us
Charity for those who are less fortunate
And hope that we may all accept each other for who and what we are.

—Corey Robertson, Biloxi, Mississippi

Young children ripping the glittering paper off their presents
Families huddled around a crackling fire singing carols
College students returning home to their parents
Families recalling past Christmases
People of all ages and cultures
Coming together
to give humble thanks
to their Lord
Jesus Christ
This is what Christmas is about!

—Duncan Carlson, Highland Catholic School, St. Paul, Minnesota

The Time Frame

Time, like a handful of jewels
Scattered among the seasons.
The New Year awaits
Resplendent with expectations.
The clock chimes Ninety-Eight.
Sparkling touches of romance
Offer many a second chance.
We drink of effervescent happiness,
Fortunate in time to feel the sun
Of the New Millenium.

—Jaime Becker, St. Paul, Minnesota

For home and hearth
and all affections unchanging

For what binds those here gathered
In blessed remembering

We lift now our glasses
And hearts in thanksgiving,

"Happy Christmas!"
"Good Eating!"

"Love and Joy Never-Ending!"

—Rita Koll, St. Cloud, Minnesota

May the candles at this table unite us in love,
The festive lights in the neighborhood
  unite our community in peace,
The candles celebrating the many holidays of the season
  unite us with our neighbors in hope,
And the increasing light of the sun
  bring us all to a joyful New Year.

—Monica Kruger, St. Paul, Minnesota

A New Year's Toast

Be ready when musicians pour
their Gold out across this
midnight world,
filling the vaults of
another year's dearest intents.

Be ready to welcome
the love meant just for you.

Happy New Year! Salut!!

—Sylvia Sutherland, St. Paul, Minnesota

The frost appears upon the window
A tree falling silently in the forest
Loving arms surround us
And all my family bundled into one.

A beautiful flower exchanged between lovers
Friends and lovers and relatives just dropping by
And a man in a red hat flies upward.

Merry Christmas

—Ellie Smith, Highland Catholic School, St. Paul, Minnesota

Speedskater's Prayer

To ice, to cold, Minnesota bold
Blow fierce, North Winds blow.
Freeze our lake, black like coal
Hard as diamond, shoal to shoal.
Mirror lake, hold my edge
Tempered steel, transport my soul.

—Joe Heck, St. Louis Park, Minnesota

He's coming tonight, he's almost here --
Santa and his eight reindeer.

Add Rudolph, that makes nine;
Under the Christmas tree, what will I find?

Aside from that, there's a deeper meaning --
Gathered families, cheery greetings.

Tonight in a manger His Son was born --
I feel His presence on Christmas morn.

—Heather Poliseno, Highland Catholic School, St. Paul, Minnesota

Christmas cannot be found in pretty bottles
We do not remember the fancy bows
The true meaning is in the smiles of children and of the hope
that shines like a brilliant flame in unjaded eyes.
The remembrance of innocent past and the sparkle of wonder rekindled in our souls

—Jill Grunewald, Walcott, North Dakota

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