Lament of Saint Nicholas

Paul Murano 1995

‘Twas the week before Christmas and throughout heaven above
the angels and saints were proclaiming God’s love

Nicholas, called Jesus, faithful servant on earth,
it’s time for the children to celebrate my birth

Go on and inspire the parents of these
to all of their hearts I now give you the keys

Yes Lord! cried Nicolas with the greatest of joys
I love helping out with their clothes and their toys

But most of all Lord what I work for these days
is leading their hearts back to you and your ways

So he started his journey, the jolly ol’ soul,
to the homes of God’s children, both the young and the old

The trees were in place and the candy canes hung
but he stared at the fireplace as carols were sung

Something’s wrong! said the saint, as it stopped his delight
Less than half of the stockings are hanging this night!

And I see cars, DVR’s, home computers, and more
but I hear not the laughter that I heard once before!

So he checked his list twice but it just didn’t jive
there were many more children that were meant to be alive

Dear Lord! cried St. Nicholas with a voice of surprise
Many children are missing! as the tears filled his eyes

Oh Nicholas my servant, I thought that you knew
in the greed of men’s heart$, green replaced pink and blue

And Nicholas, said Christ with a sad solemn voice
in the last 50 years this is what they’ve called “choice”

Then He took the saint’s list and divided it thrice
and revealed the true meaning of naughty and nice:

This first group are children I could never create
my people used barriers and pills with their mate

The second are the children who had never been born
from the wombs of their mothers they were taken and torn

And the third group are now all the children on earth
they’re the ones who did make it through conception and birth

Oh Lord I am sorry! ol’ St. Nicholas cried
This shouldn’t be happening – they forgot why you died!

I must have them see Christmas means to be brave
like the poor Virgin Mary giving birth in a cave!

I Am the hope not all men know, Jesus said
so go forth dear St. Nicholas – my light you must spread

‘Twas the week before Christmas and St. Nicholas did pray:

Merry Christmas to all … and to all a new day!