Christmas In Old Shoes

A visitor helps a family re-think what Christmas is all about

Christmas came to town this year

As anyone could see.

Garland strung on every house,

Lights bright'ning every tree.

 

Shoppers shop (almost nonstop!),

Store owners cheer with glee.

Children beg with doe-ish eyes,

"Oh, please, for me, for me!"

 

Stuck home, two poor young siblings--

Their parents' sad decree:

"Christmas cannot come to us

This year, unless it's free."

 

"Christmas free? How can it be?!"

Most say, outrageously.

Oh how indeed! they wonder--

Those siblings, weepingly.

 

Just then a man on hard times

Comes ambling down the street,

Stops at home of boy and girl

Where Christmas shall not be.

 

Their parents look in wonder:

"He's far worse off than we.

His face describes a struggle,

And yet a smile we see."

 

"I have a gift," he tells them.

The children shout, "Whoopee!"

Their parents both think, Heavens!

What kind of fool is he?

 

They hear him speak with honor

Of God's great majesty,

Which he has learned to notice

Since Christmas came for free:

 

"I've purchased and been given,"

The man says, ruefully,

"All kinds of gifts and parcels

That lie beneath the tree.

 

"Behold, all my possessions,

Yet foolish would I be.

To trade them for those presents

I loved so jealously.

 

"For in my heart is Jesus;

Look in my eyes and see

A joy that He has offered

By dying on the tree.

 

"He asks us, 'Where is Christmas

Amid this revelry?

Why do you have the season,

Yet think nothing of Me?'"

 

"Kind sir, how dare we offer

Only our poverty,

Yet think that we'll get Jesus?"

The parents ask, "You see?

 

"Our rent's past due three months now--

It never was for free.

‘Can we please have a handout?’

That soon will be our plea."

 

The man replies, "Dear people,

Please take a look at me,

For all I have to give Him

Is only what you see.

 

"I too was shamed to face Him.

'What wretchedness you be,'

I've heard the folks of this town

Spew out so heartlessly.

 

"And yet, I'm God's dear child,

While they, though rich may be,

Do try to offer presents

For heaven, which is free.

 

"You need to, therefore, offer

No more than what you see,

And hearts that are repentant

Toward Him who purchased thee."

 

The parents ask, so humbled,

"What kind of Savior, He,

Who offers richest pardon,

By dying on a tree?

 

"Is that all He requires:

No costly gift or fee,

No presents He can open

From underneath a tree?"

 

The man says, "Stop believing

That you need to agree

With those who claim the best gifts

Are underneath a tree.

 

"For we do quite insult Him

When we give, hopefully,

To gain from Him a present

Which He has offered free."

 

They hug the man and ask him

To join them 'round the tree;

And in the midst of sparseness,

They worship joyfully.

Author's Note

Not sure about the tense (past, present, etc). Please review as you would any other poem. Poetry is not my forte, though at times the "muse" speaks to me and I obey.

Reviews

[.......]

Wow this is really good, Like this write, makes me ponder backward some to my life.

[mmrom517]

I appreciate that.

[Holly Mason]

enjoyed reading

[mmrom517]

Thank you for letting me know.

[teardrop]

Wow, this is really good and so emotional. Enjoyed!

[mmrom517]

Thank you for your kind words!