By Jonathan Francesco
Word Count: 149
Rating: PG
Summary: A poem in honor of the children and adults who were killed at Sandy Hook.

The Christmas lights are darker this year
The wind is colder
And the music is quieter
With twenty young voices of laughter silenced

Mixed with candlelight
Are wails and tears
Anger and regrets
Promises and resolutions
We hug loved ones
Just a little bit closer
Reminded again
How tomorrow is not yet here

Solace seems so distant
But through our lamentations
We see The Light of the World
Keeping our world bright
And we can push on
With the hope and the comfort
That the eternal light of heaven
Will forever wash away
Every pain and every fear

The intruder is gone
All suffering defeated
Now your Creator
The one who suffered with you
At each moment
Cradles you close to his heart
And there is only light and love
Pure and full
The greatest of all Christmas presents