Steve Gilliland
Twas the night before Christmas and out in the country
I climbed into my deer stand and made myself comfy.
I was waiting for Santa and his grain fed reindeer
Hoping to catch them as they flew through here.
The economy was shot and my cupboard was empty,
Reindeer meat in the freezer seemed pretty tempting.
As I sat in my stand and considered my options
A text was sent to the phone in my pocket.
My wife was reporting that it said on the news
Santa might not be coming tonight as we snooze.
It seemed someone had heard that in Santa’s pocket
Was a little gold cross on a chain with a locket.
Inside of the locket was a picture of Christ
Whose birth, after all is what we celebrate tonight.
So because of that cross someone was offended
And determined to see Santa’s visit was ended.
So much for fresh reindeer on the shelves of my freezer
Thanks to the thinking of some lost unbeliever.
I sat there in silence, stunned and dismayed
Wondering how anyone could feel that way.
If one person has decided that they don’t need Christ
Should the rest of the world’s joy be sacrificed?
It once was the norm that if you didn’t agree
You stated your feelings then let it be.
But today the minority seems to believe
They should hold all the power to make the majority grieve.
As I gathered my things to climb down from my tree
A bright light in the dark sky shown all around me.
The Christmas star, I believed was what I could see
But it grew closer and closer till it hovered above me.
I could see it was Santa and on the front of his sleigh
Was a huge glowing cross that lighted his way.
As he sped out of sight he exclaimed from a distance
“Blessed evening to all and keep Christ in your Christmas.”
Generations from now it will still be expounded
How St Nick had the courage to stand up and be counted.
So much for the hope of reindeer meat in my dish
I guess I’ll just have a salad or a nice piece of fish.
Merry Christmas from Steve and Joyce at Exploring Kansas Outdoors
