We’ve glamorised his birth,
We’ve prettified his crib:
A fairy-tale nativity ­–
The annual Christmas fib.

This year we’ll face the facts,
And in the Gospels read
Of Jesus born in poverty,
Identified with need.

Our self-destructing world
Cries out for saving grace:
Then see this Judge of all the earth,
Who wears a human face.

Let warring men beware!
Let violence be reviled!
You yet shall know the wrath of God
For every suffering child.

To shame us into love
The Lord of loving came:
Oh, would some spark of Christmas truth
Now set our hearts aflame!
© Arnold Kellett