THE CHRISTMAS VOW

In two thousand seven
The protestors swore
We won't celebrate Christmas
We won't take it anymore

"You can't say Christ
It's really unfair
To those other religions
Who really don't care"

So Christmas was cancelled
The shops closed their doors
The memories of Christmas

Were now just folklore

The children were saddened
They couldn't believe it
They wouldn't accept it
Not one tiny small bit

They had to find Christmas
Where could he be?
They couldn't find a stocking
Or a green Christmas tree

They walked through the city
Not a light to be seen
No one was merry
Everyone was mean

They searched every county
Every state, every town
Every Christmas decoration
Had been taken down

The children were cranky
They searched in despair
But wherever they looked
There was no Christmas there

"We'll find it," they uttered
"We'll not give up trying
Christmas is here
The grownups are lying"

"I found Santa", cried Pedro
"Look here", said Elaine
"He was hiding with Rudolf
And some old candy canes"

He was stuffed with a manger
With wise men and elves
With Mary and Jesus
They were filling the shelves

In that dusty old warehouse
Where no one dare go
Since the dream days of children
In times long ago

When Christmas was merry
And life filled with mirth
And carolers sang
Of "Peace on Earth".

When sugar plums danced
And a star shone above
And a magical season
Was filled with God's love.

When the birth of a baby
Was heralded on high
Before Christmas went missing
And each eye was dry

There once was a day, child;
I remember it well
When reindeer once flew
And angels rang bells

We baked Christmas cookies
And ate Christmas roast beast
And hearts grew much larger
At that holy day feast

Yes, Jesus was here child
And Christmas was living
In the hearts of all people
And their spirit of giving

Americans all over
Gave from the heart
And celebrated Christmas
Like they did from the start

They hung Christmas stockings
And put the star on the tree
That was the way child
It once used to be

It really was special
That day of Christ's birth
And Santa was jolly
Despite his wide girth

But today it's all gone
I am sorry to say
Can't say "Merry Christmas"
It's "Happy Holidays"

Someone much wiser
Was tricked to believe
That Christmas was racist
And Jesus must leave

An American tradition
That fat jolly old elf
The tree and the manger
Don't belong on a shelf

So they unburied Santa
And assembled the crche
And sang Christmas carols
And baked cookies fresh

They dug out the tinsel
The garlands and wreath
Found A Little Fir Tree
And put presents beneath

They called "All ye Faithful"
And sang out "Noel"
Put Christ back in Christmas
And rang a red bell

They rejoiced in the spirit
Sang "Oh Holy Night"
Cried "Merry Christmas to all
And to all a good night"

They rekindled the dream
That their parents once knew
With the Christ child and Santa
And a Christmas tree too

They believed in a country
Where our forefathers trod
In freedom and liberty
"One nation under God"

The spirit's not missing
It's wherever you look
In the eyes of each child
In every cranny and nook

From the people who give
To the poor and the needy
To The Little Match Girl
And a Grinch who's not greedy

Christmas still lives
We won't let it die
In the hearts of the children
In the wink of an eye

So in two thousand and eight
And in all years from now
Let's hold on to Christmas
Let's make it our vow

Learn more about this author, Maryann Virack.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

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