The same Christmas message we hear every year
of hope for the future, of love and good cheer,
of peace on the earth and of good will to men -
this message of Christmas we hear yet again.
Front yards are festooned with bright trimmings and lights,
the toy shops appeal to young children's delights;
fat Santa Claus look-alikes stroll through the streets
ho-hoing and smiling while handing out sweets.
Folk queue to post cards at enormous expense,
life's pace becomes hectic with nerves raw and tense.
the budget's forgotten, the credit card's high,
controlled by the frenzy of "needing" to buy.
There's music and laughter as carols are sung,
and from the high steeples the church bells are rung;
with friends and with family revelry reigns
as we forget those bound in war-ravaged chains.
Yes, what of that message of peace on this earth?
Two thousand-odd years have passed by since the birth
of Jesus supposedly sent to restore
peace and good will between nations at war.
But still the wars rage fuelled by hatred and greed,
extremists dictating we live by their creed;
the star which drew magi and shepherds alike
has lost its bright glow in fanatical psyche.
