The holidays can be a stressful time for a lot of us – money, expectations, family visits, gift giving, parties, etc. This year, I found a sweet way to navigate the season, thanks to my friend Shira and her spontaneous haiku to me, which inspired me to  write “The 12 Days of Christmas Haiku.”  They’re not the traditional verse, like in the song, but they capture the feelings of peace, love and inspiration I felt. I loved writing and reading them with these and hope you . Enjoy!

On the 12th Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me … a haiku

A nip in the air
Congruent with the season
Holidays are here

On the 11th Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

another haiku…

Seasonal cards come
Art, expression, beauty is
Friendships near and far

On the 10th Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… haiku tree (#3)!

Unconscious command
yields gently, releasing to
emerging new nows

On the 9th day of Christmas, my true love (deep within) gave to me… a new, sweet haiku to reflect on the beautiful snowfall we had today.

Snow welcomes bless’ed
silence – shhhh – effortlessly
forgiving the past

On the 8th day of Christmas, my truest love, my dearest one, my cherished blessing gave to me a haiku filled with sweetness and cheer.

Holiday baking
destined whither fates allow
spreading sweet blessings.

On the 7th day of Christmas, I was so pleased to see, a haiku in a pear tree…

Evanescent sun
reminder to go within.
Sowing gratitude

On the 6th day of Christmas, my silence sent to me a haiku of blessings be

Nearly longest day
clarion call of silence
honoring self… is

On the 5th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, new light on darkness in my haiku tree…

In darkness, light is…
Remove blocks to reveal love
from dark, light expands…

On the 4th day of Christmas, my nourished and seen true love gave to me, a garden of haiku delights

Chosen with great care
New beliefs to replace old
Seeds planted, nurtured

On the third day of Christmas, a trio occurred to me…
My dear little Bobby, my sweet child within, read to me, his love-filled haiku in a tree…
And I found 2 more haikus wrapped prettily,
Near 3 french hens clucking with glee!

A special haiku from little me:

Special family
times, filled with glee and presents,
hot cocoa and love

And my prettily wrapped haikus: 

Tender moments fill
my heart. Tender moments still
teach me forgiveness

Dine with Mom and Dad
Family, friends good food, laughs
Unforgettable

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, two haikus in honor of the symbols of the menorah and the tree…

Christmas. Family…
time of sharing, love and food
Bless togetherness

Two turtle doves coo
Hanukkah menorah too
Festival of lights

On the actual day of Christmas, my True Self gave to me a haiku blessing to be free

Celebrate the Heart
Spirit and Gift of Christmas
Life transformed by Grace.

What do you do to connect with the holiday moment? Please share in the comments below.