A Christmastime Poem

Christmas is coming, 

It’s just a few weeks away!

Are you leaving town, 

Or at home will you stay?

No matter your plans

To travel near or far,

It’s important in winter

To have a healthy car.

So today I will share 

A happy tune with you.

A snappy little poem 

Of what you should do. 

Preparing for winter driving 

Is not always fun.

Days are much shorter

With fewer hours of sun.

Pay attention to things 

That hinder your vision,

So that you and others 

Don’t have a collision.

Replace burnt-out bulbs 

And faulty wiper blades,

So you can see best 

When the sunshine fades.

Headlight lenses get hazy 

And dull with time.

It becomes hard to see 

Through all of that grime.

Headlight Restoration

Will buff them like new.

They’ll become clear 

And improve your view!
 

What about your heat 

Does it blow nice and warm?

To keep you all toasty 

During a winter storm?

Your comfort is important

But that is not all ...

Defrosting is needed 

When you get past the fall.

Then there are fluids 

That keep your car running best; 

Many people get oil changes

But forget all the rest.

Fluids protect 

Many systems in your car.

Do you know all 

The vehicle fluids there are?

Power steering, transmission, 

And coolant too ...

These fluids need replacement 

So gunk doesn’t accrue.

Clean fluids are key 

To keep your car a long while; 

Saving money in the long run

And making you smile.
 

With the cold days of winter

It’s important to know

If your battery is new 

Or replaced years ago.

Four years is average 

When replacement is due.

Perhaps now is the time 

To purchase one new?
 

What about corrosion 

And battery connections?

Have you checked these 

For best winter protection?
 

You can DIY this service 

All on your own,

Or leave it to professionals

And pick up the phone.
 

No matter the model, 

No matter the make

It’s important to remember 

To service your brakes

With the slippery roads

And motorists a many

You’ll be relying on 

Your braking system for plenty

Brakes include more 

Than rotors and pads; 

Though these are the only things 

Mentioned in ads.

Coupon specials are designed 

To get you in the door.

But a brake inspection is wise 

To assess what is worn.

Replacing bad brake fluid 

Is an absolute must!

Brake lines can leak 

From corrosion and rust.

Then there are calipers

That sometimes seize; 

And may start to act up 

When it starts to freeze.

Maybe your brakes are safe, 

But there is more ...

Do you shake, bounce or shimmy—

Is your suspension worn?

The parts of this system 

Can get rusty and break;

Terrible things can then happen, 

A bad day will it make!

Not only that, 

These parts are safety concerns!

They could cause many troubles, 

Especially on turns.

So don’t let this happen 

Now or any time.

Your life is important 

And so is mine.

Therefore remember 

When you are driving about

There are so many others 

That are also en route.

Your decisions 

Of timely repairs affect you

But have you considered 

How they affect others too? 

Now let’s talk tires, 

Is your tread depth good?

Are they performing as safe 

And as sound as they should?

New tires may be needed 

Based on their wear; 

Have you considered 

All of the options out there?

Perhaps they are good 

For the milder weather.

But with more snow to come, 

Winter ones may be better.

If your tires are safe 

For the wintery conditions,

Next, you should consider
Your tire’s positions.

As you go over bumps 

And you drive to and fro,

Adjustments may be needed 

With camber, caster or toe.

Proper alignment is essential 

For the life of your tires;

But also for the stability 

That your vehicle requires.

When is the last time 

Your alignment was checked;

To ensure all of the angles 

Are in spec and correct?

This should be done

At the least once a year 

To keep you rolling straight

Without any fear.

Once you’ve taken care 

Of known safety concerns,
Automotive repairs needed 

Are next in turn.

Your car is important—

You rely on it a great deal
To get to work or to home

 Or to go get a meal.

What needs fixing today 

So you’ll have a trusty ride?
Does it run really rough—

sounding like it might die?

Are there warning lights on—

Do they stay solid or flash?
Relay to your mechanic 

What you see on your dash.

There are spark plugs, 

Cat converters and alternators,
Coil springs, fuel pumps, 

Starters and radiators.

Or perhaps you need an engine 

Or transmission today ...
These are things that Santa 

Won’t deliver on his sleigh!

As we approach Christmas, 

A great gift to bestow

Is to keep everyone safe 

As you drive in the snow.
 

This can happen better

With timely repairs,

Letting everyone know 

That you really do care. 

These are the tips 

I’ve prepared just for you

I realize that there are 

More than a few!

Bear with me a moment -

There’s just a bit more ...

You won’t want to miss, 

What I have in store

So here goes—

The great part of my rhyme

Sharing with you, 

The Best News of all time! 

Jesus Christ, the Son of God 

Came to this earth,

So that you and I 

Could find our true worth.

Our worth is not in

How attractive we are;

Or if we drive an expensive 

Or fancy car.

Our worth is not in 

Our worldly possessions;

Or what we do here 

For our earthly profession.

Our worth is not in 

Our likes on Facebook;

Or what others think 

Of how we might look
 

Our worth is not found 

In our big friend’s list; 

Or even in how many 

People we’ve kissed.

Our worth is not in 

The works we complete; 

Or in the trophies we earn, 

As we compete.
 

Our worth is not in 

Our advanced education;

Or where we might go 

When have a vacation.

Our worth comes only 

From our God above— 

It comes from all 

His unconditional love!

He sent Jesus here 

To die for our sins,

So that if we believe 

We surely will win.

We win!

For we are free of our past!

We are made new—

If only we ask.

Then we can live— 

With Jesus Christ;

Free of our sins, 

From His sacrifice.

Our worth comes then

From what’s in our heart—

Jesus is there

And He’ll set us apart.

We will yearn to obey 

All of His commands;

And serve like Him, 

With our hearts and our hands.

But there’s more ... 

As a believer I want you to know

You will have trouble 

But in good ways, you will grow.

You’ll also have life 

Eternally in heaven. 

Of this, God says, 

There is no question! 

I hope in this season, 

You’ll reflect on all of this,

For a life lived in Jesus 

Is full of much bliss! 

If you don’t believe 

Or want to hear more,

Come to the Civic Center 

And open the door!

For that is where 

Eagle Brook church meets—

And you can hear God’s word

From any seat!
 

I’ll be there Sunday

With a smile on my face; 

Please come with your family

God is in that place!