Christmas in the time of despots

By the way, I don't need you to be Christian; I'm not Christian in the way most churches recognize. But here are more thoughts on Christmas.

I was thinking of my least favorite Christmas song ("All I Want for Christmas is YOOOOOO") and asked my husband if there were any recently written Christmas songs that didn't peddle a fantasy, either about snow, mistletoe, family Christmases, etc. or at the praise song level that didn't address the social justice aspects of Jesus' message. Older songs actually address social justice issues, from pointing out Jesus' lowly birth to Masters in the Hall mentioning that Jesus would cast down the proud. We need social justice more than ever, but the dialog is sorely missing at Christmas, drowned out by jingle bells and commercials.

I wrote this out of my sadness and depression in this season, watching the humanity of the United States slowly bleed out drop by drop by legislation and regulation that favors the rich business people at the expense of the poor, people of color, and the LGBTIQA (sp?) community.

I dared myself to write the social commentary I wanted to see. I don't have music for it, so if anyone wants to contribute that, let me know, and maybe I'll become a singer-songwriter again:

I’ve memorized the carols

As I wade through Christmas crowds,

With lyrical exhortations

To casteth down the proud

The mighty have proclaimed themselves

So far above the fray

They stake their claim in Jesus’ name

But they forgot to pray.

I have to sneak to pray the words

I’m not supposed to say:

CHORUS:

I want a real Christmas

I want the Peace on Earth

I want the Good Will promised

With Jesus’ lowly birth

I want to see the lions

Give shelter to the lambs

I want to see the low raised up

And the Kingdom born again.

I’ve read the Christmas story --

The migrants on the road

There to appease the government

Despite Mary’s heavy load

I’ve read that Baby Jesus

Was born among the poor

But now we’re told the poorest

Deserve to live no more

And we would starve poor Jesus

If he returned once more.

CHORUS

It’s hard to see it’s Christmas

With trees in black and white,

My mind seems far too weary

To deal with all the spite

I light a single candle

For strength on every day,

To love and give to all creation

Any way I may,

And every day to shout the words

I’m not supposed to say:

CHORUS