Unite and Celebrate

Unite and Celebrate

It's Christmas time once again
With Santas and flying deer.
People are trampled while shopping;
Some look in a bottle for holiday cheer.

War is raging around the globe;
Bodies are sent home wrapped in flags.
Homeless people sleep under bridges,
And carry their lives in paper bags.

Bells are ringing and people shouting;
Cash registers slam a loud ker-ching.
Kids are fighting and demanding
While making lists for Santa to bring.

Where's the babe the angels proclaimed
Those many long years ago?
Whatever happened to Christmas?
I'd really like to know.

I thought this was Jesus' birthday,
A time to celebrate His love,
To stop and pause and look up
At His star shining above.

A time for a silent and holy night,
And Glory to God on high.
A time to ponder His sacrifice;
His gift we couldn't buy.

Peace on earth, goodwill to all
Are more than words on a card.
They are concepts Jesus died for,
So why do we make it so hard?

If He could love us all so much
To give His very life;
Why can't we love each other
Enough to end the strife?

Instead of just claiming to be Christian
And putting on a happy front,
Let's celebrate this Christmas
The way that He would want.

Forgive and be forgiven,
Lift up those who fall.
Let's proclaim Christ to the masses,
And shower His love on all.

Brotherly love to the household of faith,
Goodwill for all mankind,
Christmas peace around the world
The way that Christ designed.

There'd truly be a merry Christmas
All across the earth,
If all God's children joined as one
To celebrate His birth.

by Linda Tiemessen, 2003