"A Forgotten Birthday"

from Virtuous Daughters, December 2003~Volume 3, Number 8

Shopping for some Christmas cards
I walked the crowded aisles.
There were ornaments and fancy gifts
That lay in gaudy piles.
I saw some tall green Christmas trees
All decked with bells and balls,
Saw ruffled dresses, green and red,
On curly-headed dolls.
I saw a black train engine
Complete with cars and track.
And little children’s storybooks
Piled in a leaning stack.
Yet in all this brightness,
I noticed something odd:
That though it was His birthday,
T’was not much for the Son of God.
Oh, sure, there was an angel
With golden harp and crown,
And yes, there was a manger
With shepherds all around.
Yet I saw a banner bright,
Said, “Santa here today”,
Though there was not one did proclaim,
“Christ is Lord alway.”
The eager children crowded
‘Round Santa’s bright red knee.
While on the shelf forgotten
Sat a small nativity.
It’s strange and sad to think
That men forget the reason
That we give gifts and celebrate
The holy Christmas season.
It is the birthday of the Man
Who remembered our great need
And sacrificed Himself for us
In mighty, loving deed.
​-Faith Henager