THE STRANGER

At Christmas time there was a man 

who looked so out of place,

as people who rushed about him

at a hurried sort of pace.

He stared at all the Christmas lights,

the tinsel everywhere,

The shopping center, Santa Claus,

with children gathered near.

The mall was packed with shoppers

who were going to & fro,

Some with smiles some with frowns

& some too tired to go.

They rested on the benches

or they hurried on their way,

to fight the crowd for purchases 

to carry home that day.

The music from a stereo

was playing loud & clear

of Santa Claus, & snow men,

& a funny-nosed reindeer.

He heard the people talk about

the good times on the way,

of parties, fun & food galore,

& gifts exchanged that day.

"I'd like to know what's going on."

The man was heard to say,

"There seems to be some sort of

celebration on the way."

"And would you tell me who this is, 

all dressed in red & white? 

And why are children asking him 

about a special night?"

The answer came in disbelief,

"I can't believe my ear!

You do not know that 

Christmas time is here,

The time when Santa comes around 

with gifts for girls & boys

when they're asleep on Christmas

he leaves them books & toys."

"The man you see in red & white

is Santa Claus, so sly,

the children love his jolly laugh,

and the twinkle in his eye.

His gift packed sleigh is pulled 

along by very small reindeer, 

as he flies quickly through the air,

while darting here & there.

"The children learn of Santa

while they are still quite small.

When Christmas times comes

he is the most important one of all."

The stranger hung his head in shame,

he closed a nail-pierced hand.

His body shook in disbelief;

he did not understand.

A shadow crossed his srticken face,

his voice was low, but clear

"After all these years they still don't know."

And Jesus shed a tear.

-Author unknown