On Christmas Eve, long ago  

the shoppers were running too and fro  

buying last minute gifts and food for the feast  

the sun was setting to the west from the east  

at twilight the city Christmas lights gleamed 

but for some, times were lean, or so it seemed  

they made their home in alleys and under bridges 

they had no pantry and owned no fridges 

they had no gifts, no meats to eat  

no cookies, cakes or dainty sweets

   they sat on the sidewalk, two tiny waifs 

desperation and hunger showed on each face  

they sang Christmas carols with perfect pitch  

but four bullies pushed them in to the ditch  

they climbed to the sidewalk and sang again  

peace on Earth and good will toward men  

the day grew late and night came on  

soon all the holiday shoppers were gone  

no money in their cup, no food to eat 

their Christmas assignment was complete

so they stood up tall and spread their wings  

the Earth wasn't ready for such heavenly things  

they reported to Him who rules all nations  

“we sat all day at our begging stations  

but no one gave us even one cent  

it was the same wherever we went"  

“and so,” said The Lord, “it grieves my heart  

such selfishness is spread and now must start 

a time of grief,  of want and pain  

when earthly riches are no longer counted gain"

   “please, Dear Lord,” the angels said  

“charity on Earth is not yet dead 

give mankind just one more year  

give them one more year, time to hear  

about the greatest gift you have given  

help them to stop and look toward heaven" 

The Father smiled and said, “very well 

just one more year for me, the judge, to tell  

another Christmas, another opportunity

for the greedy to give and the blind to see"