Meaning no disrespect to The Reason For The Season; simply pointing out that most folks have all but forgotten why they celebrate Christmas in the first place. My one cynical Christmas poem, dedicated to the true memory of that feisty, loving, prophetic man who started out a babe in rags.
HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY
Have yourself a merry little American Christmas
where mall-bound mauling marauding shoppers claw for
the latest imported Chinese toys
lead-laced crap for girls and boys
O little town of Bethlehem
creeping with hordes of consumers
No visions of Visa bills dancing in their heads
They’re masters of their MasterCards
Mary, did you know your baby boy
has turned into an excuse for excess
for booming business, parental stress
the backbone of a spineless economy
Joy to the world! The Lord & Taylor window
has a “holiday display” with Santa and reindeer
Deck the hall with Hallmarks from family and friends
and other folks we forget about the rest of the year
A day to plow through a thousand presents
overturn overstuffed stockings
stuff ourselves til we crash in front of
the new 52-inch plasma TV we bought on credit
It’s a wonderful life
Crosby Christmas never ceases
but for God’s sake
please don’t mention Jesus
© 2010 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
booguloo
I think you hit all 7 deadly sins! Bravo. Then the last verse nailed it…. no no Michael that’s Easter..
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow, Boog, and I wasn’t even counting! I think the Seven Deadlies are probably embedded in my DNA, considering my family’s history, ha ha.
I’m not sure all Christian friends will appreciate that last verse, but I felt good writing it, because I always let it hang out. And me, a pastor’s wife, whodathunkit? The folks who get the most outraged are usually folks who feel the smart, you know what I mean?
Also – do you know Tom Lehrer’s “Christmas Song”? I should have credited him as inspiration for this poem!! Peace, Amy
Ellen
Amy,
Powerful and so sadly true!~ It is nauseating, when one really think how much the meaning has been marketing and mismanaged! Thanks for the reminder of the real meaning~ xXx
Sharp Little Pencil
Ellen, I have a feeling you didn’t need reminding… you already have your priorities straight. But what’s a holiday without at least one potent rant, right?
(wink) Amy
Debbie
Oh Amy . . .I almost rolled out of my seat laughing. I know it’s not funny, but your poem is fantastic! Thank you! (somebody had to say it, right?)
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, I think it’s healthy when we are able to laugh at ourselves, even in a small way. My point was that so many folks just suck the joy right out of the birth of Christ with their DEEEEEP Discounts, unhealthy eating, and overspending (which leads to a higher depression rate, mentally speaking, come Jan and Feb.).
Love, and have a very blessed Christmas, dear, Amy
booguloo
I do know what you mean. Concerning your DNA.. all have sinned.. As far as the season goes my favorite saying is,”let’s kill a tree and celebrate the birth of the Christ.” I also am a Christian who will speak his mind. A pastor’s wife? I love it.. righteous indignation becomes you!! Let it rip.
Have not heard the song.
Peace back atchoo, Michael
Sharp Little Pencil
Atchoo? God bless you!
Yes, all have sinned, you’re right. I’m up there with the rest! “Let’s kill a tree..” that made me laugh hard, because it’s so ironic. The whole American take on Christmas, frankly, since post=WWII, is ironic. Witness “The Christmas Story,” the first generation who felt that showering kids with a million gifts would help make them feel safe. And there was no mention of attending church anywhere in the movie. I’m not judging folks who don’t attend worship – God is all around us – but the folks who make the biggest financial investment in presents are often absent in the pews, and congregations are not about making money… they are about helping one another on our mutual journey.
Keep speaking up, Michael (sorry I called you Boog; didn’t know your name. Someone once called me “Sharp Lil”!), and I’ll keep responding. That’s what the blogosphere is all about – the exchange of even the most controversial ideas, with mutual respect being key. The song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtZR3lJobjw
deborah
BRILLIANT!!
Sharp Little Pencil
BLUSHING! Glad you got the point! Peace, Amy
Mehreen
Couldn’t relate to it much as I’m from an entirely different part of the world 🙂
But hey, have a great time… and happy holidays! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Believe me, you aren’t missing much. Americans run around, drive like maniacs, park rudely, scream at their children in the mall (even though they dragged them there ten hours ago), and overspend. All this to supposedly celebrate the birth of a baby who grew up to willingly give up his home, his occupation, and who never had a place to lay his head that was his own. He wandered around in rags and preached nothing other than love.
It drives me nuts to see how post-WWII America has made this holiday into a commercial traffic jam! But we give only some things in our stockings and a check to The Heifer Project in our family’s name. Lots of folks are doing that now – understanding the concept of giving in the spirit of Jesus. Thanks! And whatever your holiday is, celebrate. And if you don’t have a holiday this time of year, light a candle for me tonight! Peace, Amy
Tilly Bud
Amy, sadly, a wonderful poem. I wish there had been no need for it.
Sharp Little Pencil
That’s true of about half the poems I write. Thanks for catching that irony, Linda. Breathe….. Peace, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Wowzers, a poem full of zingers! I totally love it! As you knew I would:)
Sharp Little Pencil
Sherry, you SO get me. And I, you. Sisters from another mother, I guess. Thanks, hon. A
Jingle
your writing is elegant.
keep sharing…
Merry Christmas..
😉
Sharp Little Pencil
Why, thank you, Jingle. High praise at a moment when it was needed! (Don’t worry, I have lots of days like that…)
Just packing archival files, heard a jingle bell outside my window, and considered booting up computer… to find YOU! How’s that for happy happenstance?
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Good Kwanzaa to you and yours (Ramadan is already over, or I’d have that, too.) Basically, PEACE! Amy
Luke Prater
mall-bound mauling marauding shoppers claw – great line
couldn’t agree more, my friend
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Luke. It was a newscast of a Black Friday WalMart opening stampede that inspired that line. I thought, “Do these people even KNOW about peace on earth?”
I appreciate your visiting! Amy