Santa Is Just for
Children
John C. Mannone
Santa’s bag bulges with
gifts
as he shimmies down the
chimney
(he always makes a way)
to give
to children their
desires.
I see Jesus in a Santa
suit, Kris
and Christ have similar
names.
One’s wearing a bright
red suit,
the other poured Himself
out—
the color of love. He
gives
to all of us just what
we need:
from a bottomless bag of
toys
or from a bottomless
basket of
fresh bread & cedar
smoked fishes,
as we learn about the
true gifts,
the beatitudes—fruits of
the Spirit.
We are the children of a
God
who sates our hearts
when we
love and obey Him.
Children should
honor and respect their
parents.
Give back to mom and dad…
to Him,
but you can’t out give
the Creator.
Leave Santa some cookies
and milk.
Our “Santa” has already
left us His
bread, broken for
us; wine, poured.
We are the children who
believe
in the magic of
Christmas,
indeed, we must be as
children
to come to the Christmas
party
to where Santa lives,
way up
in the north pole—all of
heaven
revolves around the
north pole.
And the stars are angels
singing:
You better watch out,
you better not cry,
you better be good,
I’m telling you why,
Santa Claus is coming
to town.
Watch, be vigilant. No
one knows
the hour He will come,
whether in
a reindeer sled from the
east or
in Ezekiel’s chariot
with a team
of white stallions
thundering the clouds.
Poet’s Notes: The song title and lyrics inspired this poem
but in a different context. "Santa Claus got Stuck in my Chimney"
(recorded by Harlem Diva, the young Ella Fitzgerald on Decca records in
1929). The bulging bag of toys being the cause got me thinking about the
bulging nets of fish of the fishermen-disciples in the gospel. That prompted me
to attempt a comparison between two gift-givers: Santa and the One in the
Scriptures. The poem braided those comparisons. It should make for a subject of
interesting discussion.
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