By B. Sommer, Ludlow, Salop

Santa and Jesus

hold the stage.

It's Christmas, with lights and food

the parties of festival rage.

Santa sells

in the market place

and in stockings at home

getting enough is a race.

Jesus, as baby

fills many a school

but sits in cold churches

and reminds us of the cruel.

Santa with bells

and reindeer flying

brings sharing and giving

until childhood is dying.

Jesus the baby

begins to grow,

teaches sharing and loving

in our adult life to sow.

But when the time comes

to throw away

the childhood image

of Santa and sleigh,

Do we also loose

that picture of child'

a saviour of spirits

who was so mild?