The Fantastical Twenty-Fifth Day of December

Long, long ago in a town far away,
Jesus was born on the first Christmas Day.
He slept in a manger in the open air,
His mother was Mary, and she loved him there.

Her baby was special, for he was the one
Who came here as God's only begotten Son.
While shepherds were watching their flocks in the night,
Angels announced Him by holy starlight.

"Hosanna, hosanna," and "Joy to the earth!"
Heavenly messengers proclaimed His birth.
Above in the sky, there appeared a new star,
Wise men came following it from afar.

And that's how it happened, the true Christmas story,
Of Jesus Christ coming to the earth in his glory;
And that is a birthday the world could remember,
The heavenly twenty-fifth day of December.

Then . . .
Somebody noticed the story was small,
And somebody else turned and said, "Is that all?
The birth of one baby, there isn't much to it.
Why, thousands of babies come daily and do it.

This wee celebration is too itty bitty,
What Christmas Day needs is a steering committee!"
Invitations were sent out to gather attention,
Announcing an annual committee convention.

First came the tree growers, lined up in rows
With folks who make ornaments, tinsel and bows.
They brought some mistletoe, wreaths and green holly,
And "Frosty the Snowman" to make children jolly.

Six merry gentlemen came in their sleigh
Jingling jingle bells all of the way.
Next, electricians with bright, colored lights
Introduced timers that work forty nights.

Friendly fruit cakers and gingerbread bakers
Gathered with cookie and candy cane makers.
Sugar plum fairies and sweet chocolate dippers
Mixed with spiced cider and cool eggnog sippers.

Shoemakers, jewelers and quick sweater knitters
Hooked up with merchants and cool ski outfitters.
Then came dear Santa with sixty-eight elves,
Toy makers came and began stocking shelves.

Next came musicians with bell choirs and bands,
Singing of chestnuts from their music stands.
Pianists brought in a partridge and pear tree,
Twelve drummers drumming joined in for a small fee.

Animal trainers brought Rudolph and Prancer,
The Nutcracker brought his most trim ballet dancer.
Pageant performers and suave movie stars
Brought contracts and fat scripts and their VCR's.