Winter Sheep

Sheep frozen in the field
In garb of frosted blankets
Atop pensive stilts
Standing in chilled silence
Waiting for Christmas Angels
And a shepherd
To guide them home

 

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If It Happened Today: A Modern Nativity

I hear there is a census
And all folk should return
Unto the town where they were born
Which is of some concern
As sure enough the traffic
Is getting quite heavy
Particularly in South London
Just near to the M3

For there in middle carriageway
A donkey has been seen
With pregnant woman riding it
Next to a man in green
Who’s said to be a Chippy
Unmarried too they say
And out of work on benefits
Well that’s the claim today!

For so the rumour has it
They’ve travelled from Ascot
And she’s due any minute
To give birth to the tot
Who some are calling special
Saying he’ll be the next king
But if he is then MI6
Will have to do their thing

For Britain has a monarchy
And there is just no place
For an imposter to come in
Take-over or replace
The Queen and the Prime Minister
For that would just not do
Yet certain things are scaring folk
Up in Westminster too!

Reports say there’s an angel
In skies right near Heathrow
Causing quite a commotion
And blocking radar so
And word from Jodrell bank is there’s
A star they’ve never seen
That’s burning in the north so bright
Just where the woman’s been!

So the police are sat in waiting
Amidst these threats and fears
As this young mum is turning heads
As her birth draws so near
And the country is on red alert
To keep a watchful eye
Increasing their surveillance with
The army on standby

For facts are pure and simple
No-one should make these claims
Unless their mad or really bad
Or looking for some fame
And so as Mum on donkey
Heads into London town
The powers that be are on the case
To protect the Royal crown!

Bethlehem 1898. Description given at the source: “No Room at the Inn (…) photograph of a man and woman with Donkey entering Bethlehem. It was created in 1898. The photograph is reminiscent of Mary and Joseph.” (text from same source) Note: As the source shows a number of 1898 pictures “reminiscent” of the biblical story in and around Bethlehem (featuring a couple, a donkey, sometimes a baby etc.) it seems likely that at least some of the pictures were staged. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Away In A Manger

Possibly a modern day take on what would happen if the nativity was today

Away in a manger
No crib for a bed
Summon the social workers
And flag up Ofsted
For it’s told that this baby
Might be slightly odd
For his mother is saying
That his Dad is called God

But God doesn’t exist
Says HM Revenue
For without national insurance
There’s not much they can do
Like collect any maintenance
Vaccinate him and check
That he goes into school
Not be a pain in the neck

Less the problems apparent
Of delusions and more
As a rumour on the street says
He’s gonna save all the poor
And rise to be king
Though as an outcast as such
So haul in a caseworker
Bring him back into touch

And ensure he develops
As a conventional boy
That doesn’t play with the Angels
But fisher price toys
Ensuring conformity
In the true light of day
So that this little baby
Lies sweet on the hay

I Don’t Feel Very Christmassy

I don’t feel very Christmassy
I don’t know what to do
So much to fit into the day
Is it the same for you?
For though that sounds a bit Grinch like
Damping the Christmas cheer
There’s always so much to get through
Just at this time of year

For Santa needs a letter writ
And presents must be bought
And cards filled out and posted quick
And special food be sought
And decorations must be hung
On trees lit with bright lights
As well as parties planned and such
That last into the night

Then crackers brought for added fun
And Christmas songs be sung
With stockings filled plus mince pies out
And yuletide bells be rung
And family activities
Must all be set in place
To make sure the best time is had
As Christmas is embraced

Yet through all this, I wonder if
We’ve lost sight of just what
Makes Christmas Christmas all the while
We may have lost the plot
And possibly forgotten that
It’s time to celebrate
A baby’s birth and family
To make Christmas first rate!

Nativity scene at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in the historic Barelas neighborhood, Albuquerque, NM, Jan 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)