For this is Shopmas

The lights are flashing the trees are up.

Christmas must be near.

People shopping, trampling around,

That special present must be found.

Money flows like rushing streams

Buying one another dreams.

Santa’s there, mistletoe, decorations on the door.

The telly sells the dream of Christmas,

With films and adverts and lots of presents.

Millions of Christmas cards to send,

To relative, neighbour, colleague and friend.

The winter festival is here

With food and fun and wine and beer.

The Christmas carol is almost gone,

Replaced by the latest X Factor song.

But have you not seen?

Have you not heard?

Do you believe the Christian word?

Where is Jesus,

The Christ child come?

The message of hope for everyone.

Mary and Joseph, shepherds and kings

Peace on Earth the message brings.

We call it Christmas but in the end

We should call it Shopmas

For we spend, spend, spend.

Shopmas or spendmas, however it is billed.

When Christ is not in Christmas the vacuum will be filled.

Put Christ back into Christmas.

Put Christ where he belongs.

Shopmas or Christmas, what will it be?

The nativity with Jesus

Or the plastic Christmas tree.

Isaiah 9:6

Georgina Smith