The Manger Heist

by Charlotte Foster

 

It’s Christmas time. What does that mean?

Time to party, dance and sing?

When hollow gifts are wrapped up tight,

And manger scenes kept out of sight.

As atheist now run the day,

And try to change the words we say.

“Merry Christmas” blotted out,

While “Happy Holidays” they shout.

All signs of Christ are tucked away,

As Santa Claus comes out to play.

And malls begin to overflow,

Church attendance starts to slow.

People look for other things,

Replacing joy that Jesus brings.

Complaining every time they see,

Reminders of His infancy.

They want the party not the child,

His special day they have defiled.

Exchanged the gift – perfect and holy,

For worldly gifts of pagan folly.

Any other god can reign,

But from the Christ we must refrain.

And here’s the reason, simple yet true,

From the very first Christmas, it’s nothing new.

There’s one who is called the father of lies,

And though defeated, he still tries.

To turn our eyes away from Christ,

And so began the manger heist.

To keep our lips from saying His name,

He tries to steal the Savior’s fame.

Close our ears from hearing His voice,

Telling us He’s not the only choice.

Jesus said - I Am the only way,

But people don’t like to hear that today.

They want to choose the path they take,

Even when it ends in a fiery lake.

The world still wants to party and sing,

But never bow to a holy King.

So shop they will and hang their lights,

And toast to the season ‘most every night.

Removing Christ from mangers and art,

But cannot remove Him from a follower’s heart.

“Happy Holidays” will never bring,

The joy in which the angels still sing.

I’ll join their chorus without fear,

And wish you “Merry Christmas!”

loud and clear.