The Holidays

You have been bitten by the holiday bug
If you suddenly feel the Christmas rush
You can run and hide from the cheerful hum
But you cannot ignore the holiday buzz

‘Tis the season to be jolly
Fa la la la la, la la la la…

For some unpredictable reason
Christmas starts early this season
Black Friday¹ has become
A nation-wide symbolic spur
We can’t believe our eyes
When we see the sales arrive

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose…

In a time when consumer choices
Trigger global warming causes
The best way to feel redeemed
Is to recycle your Christmas tree²

Joy to the world, the Lord has come
let Earth receive her King…

At Christmas time,
Christians and non-Christians alike
Make the holiday festivities
The center of their lives
After all, unto us a child is born
So is the need of improving our souls
Something we all constantly seek
Regardless of our religious beliefs

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose…

Bountiful feasts abound everywhere
Around fireplaces, children will play
While others instinctively will discern
That kindness and grace will not wane
When the spirit of the season fades

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
dressed in holiday style…
Soon it will be Christmas day

Wherever we find ourselves
Excitement is everywhere
Winter wardrobes are on display
As scarves and mittens warm up our days
In city centers, windows are dressed
Holiday lights beaming away
While holiday music fills the air
In dreams, children gaze at the Polar Express
And parents hide their holiday stress

Frosty the snowman
was a jolly, happy soul

The holiday spirit is a funny one
Debts are forgiven and people have pride
On the things they offer in a generous fashion
For free smiles are a contagious reaction

In the meadow we can build a snowman
then pretend that he is Parson Brown

The holiday spirit is put to the test
When family members celebrate
One of the things they truly enjoy
Seeing their children play with new toys
But old Charlie Brown was wise,
Christmas has been compromised
By commerce, greed and bottom lines

Good king Wenceslas looked up
on the feast of Stephen

Wouldn’t it be nice if for once?
Instead of maxing up our cards
We do something small and nice
And give to charity with open hearts
The generosity of giving souls
Fulfills our dreams and hopes

Silent night, holy night
all is calm, all is bright….

Sad as it is, it’s worth mentioning
An ugly side of holiday bliss
Our furry friends³ may stray away
Others will be left in the rain
Nights could turn into despair
If we fail them in good care

¹In the US at least, frenzy consumers fill the stores to slaughterhouse capacity the day after Thanksgiving.
²Not only are we putting our lights earlier this year, a weak economy means Christmas tree sales could spark as more people stay home for the holidays.
³Millions of pets end up in the streets during the holiday season, victims of abuse and neglect.