Twas the Month Before Christmas -- Revisit 2009

[amileegirl]

Written by Amileegirl 2007 (especially for CafeMom)
Note: a few lines of the original poem parady are included)

'Twas the month before Christmas when all through our land,
A Christian wasn't praying but taking a stand
About what equality for all had taken away--
Merry Christmas was not the only greeting to say.
"This is not Christian and this is not right," they call,
"Those heathens aren't remembering Jesus at all!"

The children were told in school about other holiday things,
Not just Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels with wings.
"It is important to learn about your fellows," the teachers would say
"December 25th is just one of many winter centered holidays."

Yes, shoppers are ready with cash, checks and credit.
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, a Wii and an I-pod
Something was changing, and it was surely quite odd!

Retailers promoted what the buyers wanted for that year.
It wasn't the fault of Ramadan, Yule, or Kwanzaa despite what you hear.
Stores aren't responsible for who buys for the wrong reason.
It is the individual who gives the meaning to the season.
Hanging a tree upside down from the ceiling isn't a modern invention.
In the twelfth Century, Christians were doing it with deliberate intention.

The word Christmas can still be found at all the big Marts,
But using the word Holiday together with it is certainly smart.
You'll hear the word Christmas quite often as it touches your ears.
In the name of diversity and inclusion, the word Holiday also appears.
For you see, Christians adopted December 25 as a celebration day,
But Pagans and Romans were celebrating long before the Christian way.

Now Solstice, now Boxing Day, now Saturnalia, now Hannukah
Now Rohatsu, now Yule, now Christmas, and Kwanzaa.
At the top of Pat Robertson's squealing bellow
You'd hardly notice that Jesus is still a known fellow!
Nativities in all shapes and sizes you will still find
Angels, stars, and pins and Bibles of all kinds!

The Chrisitan spoken of at the beginning of this verse
Hasn't learned the lessons from their fellow Christians first,
"Put Jesus in your Christmas celebration and stop the clatter!
Remembering Jesus as you were taught isn't a public matter.
Take a page from the book we hold so dear; don't follow the greed.
Instead of holding a picket sign, donate to a family so in need."

The brand of Christmas you so want to see isn't gone at all
It is alive in all the Churches from floor, to the rafters, to the wall.
No one can take away your belief by including others with grace
If you want true salvation seek within yourself for your faith.
The true gift of Christmas is kindess and acceptance with an open heart--
The reason for the season can't be stopped if you didn't even start.

So as your neighbor goes on a winter break and buys a holiday tree
And as you begin to scowl and complain, stop and listen to me.
Remember when they helped when your car wouldn't start last week--
And you stand there with a frown with a sharp word in your cheek.
Choose what you do next carefully and choose what you say,
Help your neighbor carry the tree and help them have their holiday.