’Twas two months before Christmas, and all through the land
Not an outlet was stalling, not one minor brand;
The gewgaws were hung in each window display
In hopes to snare customers passing that way.
With bauble and sequin the aisles were well-decked
(The checkouts en-tinseled to crown the effect),
While seasonal produce inveigled itself
Onto every clothing rail, counter, and shelf.
Sainsbury’s tailored their meal-deal selection
Around turkey, and orangey-chocolate confection;
All washed down with coke (though the marketers’ wisdom
Says leave half a bottle for Donner or Blitzen).
From snowflakey jumpers and star-studded socks,
To novelty neckties and sparkly frocks;
Whether Primark or Prada, the message was clear:
To celebrate Christmas, you need the right gear.
Pubs began mulling all manner of booze,
Party menus appeared on the doors in the loos,
And many a Friday night reveller, with valour,
Adventured a Baileys on top of a Stella.
And many a Friday night reveller, with valour,
Adventured a Baileys on top of a Stella.
The frenzied festivity gathered full force
‘Ere even had All Hallows’ Eve run its course —
Some householders found themselves fending off tricks
By dishing out mince-pies to zombie St. Nicks!
With joyous abandon the streets were lit brightly
(Two high-wattage fingers to climate change, nightly)
And folks repositioned their chairs and settees
To accommodate luminous remnants of trees.
The children were programmed to clamour on cue
For some decade-old gizmo re-packaged as new;
While ma checked the balance, and issued a groan,
And settled herself to a large pay-day loan.
McQueen’s motorbike made its annual outing;
Macaulay delivered those robbers a routing;
And then, in the advert break, millions cried
At a penguin receiving a mail-order bride.
The usual celebrities banded together,
Urging, with lyrics not wonderfully clever,
To think of the fact that some people are poor
Between clearing one plateful and going for more.
This went on for weeks, and would come round again;
One might wonder, to witness the children of men
In the midst of the siege of such merciless mirth
…Would anyone choose to be born on this earth?
Carolyn Whitnall, 2014
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:9-14)
P.S. Yes, yes ... I know it's been done and done and done and then some. Well, now I've done it too.
[Thumbnail image cc from daveynin on Flickr]
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