When Jesus Met Santa

I found this poem on www.thewritingforum.net. It is written by Michael Mack.
Thought everyone might enjoy reading it.


“When Jesus Met Santa”

Jesus and his cousin John,
A man of trusted soul,
Traveled up to find that man
They'd heard of at the Pole.

Santa then was not the man
That we all know today,
Carting gifts around the world
On reindeer-driven sleigh.

He was just a man who cared,
A rather simple sort
Who gifted children in his town
Because of his huge heart..

So Jesus, John and Santa met.
As, outside, cold winds blew
And Jesus said, "My friend, I have
A job for you to do."

"The word has traveled all the way
From here to Galilee
Of how you share your love for all
With generosity."

"You put smiles on children's faces
With your merriment and mirth
And I want you to deliver gifts
To everyone on earth!"

"To everyone on Earth? You mad??!!
Said Santa, with a snort.
"There are lots of people,friend.
I'd not know where to start!"

"And, just in case you haven't seen
I've not the normal girth.
It's not a belly that's designed
For traveling the earth."

"No matter", spoke up John, whose hands
Were starting to feel frozen.
"The Lord will give you all you need.
Be glad that you've been chosen."

But Santa said, "How can this work?"
Gift all in just one day?"
The Lord replied, "You'll do it
With a reindeer-driven sleigh."

"Reindeer??", Santa snorted, "They
Are such a worthless lot.
"I'd need some creatures built for speed.
Is that the best you've got?"

Jesus smiled and so did John,
With twinkles in their eye.
"Not ordinary reindeer, friend
But reindeer that can fly."

"Flying reindeer??" Santa laughed.
"I've heard it all this time.
You sure you haven't oversipped
The sacrificial wine??"

"And what about the presents, then?
Now where do I get those?
Millions of gifts for everyone..
Some magic, I suppose?"

"I'm sending you a group of elves",
Said Jesus, with a smile.
They'll spend the year preparing
Gifts for every living child."

"Some elves? You're sending me some elves?"
The smiling man replied.
"Some reindeer and a group of runts
To help me?!", Santa cried.

"And this costume I'm supposed to wear..
You're telling me it's red?!?
And a cap with some white tassel?
Give me something else instead!

People who wear red up here
Er, walk a little funny.
Don't want some six foot eskimo
Refer to me as honey!!!"

Jesus smiled and said, "Good friend,
The job has many perks.
Let me point them out to you
And how this whole thing works".

"Millions of kids will idolize
The person that you are.
They'll pray to you, write songs to you.
You'll be their biggest star."

"Kids will mind their manners and
Be courteous to all.
They want to be on Santa's list
Each Christmas when you call."

"They'll go to bed on Christmas Eve
Anticipatingly,
And, for their thanks for what you do.
Leave cookies by the tree."

"Well, now it's sounding better!
It could be a worthwhile trip!
They'll leave me cookies, did you say?
Could you make them chocolate chip??"

The trio talked all through the night
On details, I suppose.
Jesus agreed to a reindeer
With a headlight for a nose.

Santa agreed to wear the clothes,
Although he hated red
And everything was worked out
By the time they went to bed.

So that's the way it is, my friends.
Dear Santa roams the land
On sled propelled by reindeer
And Jesus's loving hand.

Leave out your milk and cookies
Pray before you go to bed
And know that Santa and Jesus
Are both watching, overhead.

© Michael Mack