The Day Before the Night Before Christmas

I wrote this poems some years ago when I was invited to be on a television program to read a Christmas poem to children as they gathered around me...I had not written a Christmas poem when the invitation was extended and wondered what to write as there were so many Christmas poems already...It was then I decided to write about the day before the night before Christmas...thus this poem which the children and listening audience enjoyed... The Day Before The Night Before Christmas It was December the 23rd And Santa was packing his sleigh Saying to his reindeer, "We've got Lots of traveling to do today, Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I Have lots of surprizes up my sleeve!" The reindeer grumbled and were ill-at-ease, Santa was worried and asked " aren't you pleased?" One reindeer who asked not to be identfied, Stepped forward and replied, "Christmas now is just a word!" The other reindeer joined in, "There is no peace on earth, No good will between men!" "No good will between people!" a liberated reindeer Chirped in. Santa was aghast and could not believe what he Had just heard, It startled him, it made him sad, Why, Christmas was the time of year to make folks glad. A time for celebration, for spreading good cheer, A joyful, happy time of year! "I'll do some spot checking!" Santa said to Mrs. "C"... "Christmas has lost its true meaning, this cannot be!" "This is tragic!" And with a little Santa magic, he transformed himself Into a little child with a polka dot face, This way he could represent every race... He went caroling the world over and begged Passers-by, "Please sing along!" But no one would join him in song. Santa was cold, His coat was tattered and torn... No one offered him shelter, They looked upon him with scorn. He stopped at several houses but no one Would let him in... Some shouted, "Come back again!" They were busy decorating and wrapping Presents galore, But no one would open their door. Santa saw a family strolling hand in hand, "What does Christmas mean to you?" He asked stepping up to the man. "Presents for one and all said he! "Trees a glitter, houses in holiday dress!" Said she. "Toys!" said the little one, jumping with glee... "If you are really good, Santa will bring you a color TV!" "But he won't find your house on the other side of the track, You are poor and ugly with that polka dot face, I know Santa won't find your place!" They laughed and scoffed, "Why you are a disgrace!" "Christmas means a brand new car!" said the next Hurried gent, The next lady said, "Christmas made me spend every cent!" Poor Santa was really sad, No one had said Merry Christmas, "This is really bad." He shook his head as he pondered, "Is Christmas really dead?" No one mentioned the babe in the manger, Or the wise men who traveled afar. No one mentioned Mary or Joseph or the Bright guiding star. Santa slumped his shoulders He head beack home, His heart was heavy, he felt all alone. The suddenly, bells chimed; it was Christmas eve. A lone man appeared and took the little child Santa By his tattered sleve. "Come child," he said softly, "I'll share my meal with you, It is not much but it should warm you through and through." He wrapped his worn scarf around Santa's cold head Santa thanked him... "Merry Christmas!" the stranger said, "I am traveling to Bethlehem" and he was gone again. Marry Christmas!" said Santa ss the stranger disappeared From sight..."Christmas lives!" he shouted, "The reindeer were wrong and I was right! Carrolers sang in the distance, Deck The Halls! Silent Night