Tired I was; my head would go
Nodding under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
No footsteps came, no voice, but only,
Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely,
Stooped in the still and shadowy air
Lips unseen - and kissed me there.
The doorbell rang.
'Darling, there's someone here to see you!' her Dad called up the stairs. 'I'll show them to the lounge.'
'Coming,' Sam replied, quickly throwing on her clothes and checking herself in the mirror before running down the stairs to the lounge.
She stopped at the doorway, 'Matt!'
Mat smiled nervously, 'Hey. Thought I'd give you a surprise!'
'That you sure did, but ....' words failed her.
'Don't worry. I read your email. It's ok. Quite funny really - and I'm really sorry that you misunderstood me. Sorry that I only drop by now, too, but I wanted to organise something. Friends?' Matt asked.
'Definitely.'
This is what Christmas is about. Gifts. The gift of friendship - above all else - friendship between us and God, as well as between ourselves and our fellow man.
Extract from 'Mistletoe' by Walter de la Mare
