GHRISTMAS PAST
*****************
CHRISTMAS USED TO BE A TIME
OF PEACE, GOODWILL AND JOY
WHEN TOKEN GIFTS PLEASED ADULTS
AND KIDS WERE CONTENTED WITH A TOY

THE CHRISTMAS FARE WAS SIMPLE
BUT IT WAS THE BEST THEY COULD AFFORD
AND THE KIDS GOT ALL EXCITED
WITH THEIR DOLL OR WOODEN SWORD

THEY ALL GAVE THANKS FOR WHAT THEY GOT
WITH THEIR LOT THEY WERE CONTENT
FOR THEY KNEW HOW HARD THEIR PARENTS SAVED
TO GET THE CASH THEY`D SPENT

HOW DIFFERENT IS CHRISTMAS NOW
FROM THE ONES WE KNEW
ENORMOUS SUMS OF CASH ARE SPENT
TO BUY GADGETS THAT ARE NEW

AND OFTEN TIMES BY BOXING DAY
THE GIFTS ARE LAID ASIDE
FOR OTHER THINGS ARE ALL THE RAGE
IT IS AN ENDLESS TIDE

IT USED TO BE DECEMBER
BEFORE CHRISTMAS WAS THOUGHT ABOUT
BUT BY MID SEPTEMBER EVERY STORE
CHRISTMAS GOODS BEFORE US FLOUT

THEY NOW USE THE PESTER FACTOR
THEIR EXPENSIVE GOODS TO SELL
THEY TARGET ADVERTS AT THE KIDS
THEY KNOW THEIR MARKET WELL

THERE ISN`T ANY MYSTERY
WHAT HE YOUNG ONES WANT THEY`LL GET
EVEN IF IT MEANS THAT FAMILIES
ARE PLUNGED DEEP INTO DEBT

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MESSAGE
THAT WE AT CHRISTMAS USED TO SING
OF PEACE AND FEELINGS OF CONTENT
WITH WHAT SANTA CLAUS COULD BRING

THEY EVEN TRY TO CHANGE THE NAME
AND CALL IT `WINTERMAS `
THEY`VE FORGOTTEN WHAT IT`S ALL ABOUT
IT REALLY IS QUITE CRASS

IT`S FRIGHTENING THAT HE WHO CAME
AND GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US
SHOULD SO EASILY BE FORGOTTEN
AND DISCARDED WITHOUT FUSS

WHY DO WE LET IT HAPPEN?
IS IT BECAUSE WE DO NOT CARE?
WHEN THEY TAKE CHRIST OUT OF CHRISTMAS
WILL WE NOT TURN A HAIR?

WE SING `ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS `
AND YET WITHOUT A FIGHT
WILL WE LET THE CHRISTMAS STORY
DROP FOR EVER OUT OF SIGHT?

*************************************

Ian Russell

this is so true Ian But Christmas starts as soon as summer has finished I liked this a lot Thank you

It is sad Ian, but most stop believing when they grow up.

Best wishes for 2012.

Steve.

Your poem hits the nail on the head, Ian.

Christmas has been totally exploited and is now just for consumerism.

There isn't any other holiday that has been as commercialized.

It's sad to see any holiday become so blown out of proportion and exploited for its money making potential.

Santa must be one of those billionaires hanging around up there in the North Pole!

Best,
Carol

Dear **Ian**: As Christmas evolves,
so Nature quite nicely dissolves.
Some child in a manger
now seems rather stranger
than I am -- a quirk nothing solves.

That was good Ian! ~Scott

Great poem Ian... they've taken the spirit out of Christmas... and turned it into a boozy gluttonous nightmare for some.. and as for the so called must-have gadgets... no wonder folk get in debt... they've turned it into merry spendmass

Around here.. on Christmas eve the little children will perform their nativity in the candlelit church and carols will be sung.. then early Christmas morning will be the church service when the final candle is lit on the advent ring, and people give thanks and blessings.. and the kids show off their favourite toy such as a cuddly toy or a book... and when people shake hands and say 'peace be with you'... then that's the true spirit of Christmas...
peace on earth and goodwill to everyone..

Peace be with you Ian.. and have a lovely Christmas,
Gilly