Austin Daniel Antram
Became An Angel
On May 7, 1998
with tiny lights like heaven's stars reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular please wipe away that tear
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
but the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you of the joy their voices bring
for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I can't tell you of the splendor or the peace here in this place
Can you just imagine Christmas with our Savior face to face?
I'll ask him to lift your spirit as I tell him of your love
so then pray for one another as you lift your eyes above.
Please let your hearts be joyful and let your spirit sing
for I am spending Christmas in heaven and I'm walking with the King.
published by permission
Author's Note: "Lysandra Kay Bencke was my thirteen year old handicapped daughter. On Christmas day 1997, Lysandra had a seizure and was in a coma for five days before she passed away. During those five days I wrote the poem "Christmas in Heaven". I sent it out in belated Christmas cards to over
100 friends and relatives that year. They have also sent it on to other friends and relatives,thus how the poem has been changed and the story behind it."
What do I want for Christmas, the words just echo on.
For no one wants to know the answer to that one,
For the gift, I want I know no one can afford,
Oh, you'll have to travel far, all the way to heavens door.
As you open the gates of gold, you'll find my babies there,
They'll have a little teardrop given with such care.
Oh want you wrap them up and tie them with a bow,
Then send them back to mommy way down here below.
Oh don't you worry how much they have grown,
For my love for them in written in stone.
That love is one that will not die through out time,
Because they are sweet little angels of mine.
Many things will be given to loved ones that are still here,
And lots of them will be given with great love and care,
But, oh my friend, the only gift worth given this year,
Is one that brings such joy that it even brings a tear.
Written for all mommies missing their baby.
~ Author Unknown
Christmas time in Heaven
Is a spectacular sight to see
As the Angels go around the world
Gathering things to put on the tree.
They gather up some moonbeams,
They gather up some stars,
They even go a little farther
To gather things from Mars.
And when the tree is ready
You'll hear the Angels sing
And somewhere in the distance
You'll hear the Christmas bell ring!
~ Author Unknown
Christmas Thoughts
Beyond the Christmas trees, the angels
and the stars and beloved carols . . .
Beyond the presents, the shopping,
the baking and cooking . . .
Beyond all these sights and sounds of Christmas . . .
Beyond all of these . . . there is hope.
Hope . . .
For the bereaved parent,
even at Christmas, one of the most,
if not THE most painful times of the year,
there is an essence of hope.
Hope . . .
It is the hope that someday the pain
of the death of our children will be eased.
The hope is that once again
we will laugh and love and cry
completely without fear and hollowness.
It is the hope that someday
we can remember our children with a tenderness tinged with sorrow
And not overwhelmed with it.
So it is that for each of you
I would hope . . .
peace, compassion, love,
understanding, sympathy, sharing and listening.
In the sharing of our grief with one another,
and in the emotional support,
we give to one another,
we receive and understand all these gifts.
~ Author Unknown
Said the night wind to the little lamb,
do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite.
With a tail as big as a kite.
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea.
With a voice as big as the sea.
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king,
do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king,
do you know what I know
A Child, a Child, shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver and gold.
Let us bring Him silver and gold.
Said the king to the people everywhere,
listen to what I say
Pray for peace people everywhere!
Listen to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light.
He will bring us goodness and light.
A friend can hear a tear drop. 
May God bless and comfort you.
GEOFFREY P. EDWARDS
