By Guy Lee
Special to the Herald
No 2024 A.D. and B.C.
No Santa Claus and Easter bunny
No hymns that church organs thunder
No carols showing our wonder
No Sacramento and San Francisco
No Santa Cruz and San Antonio
Without Christmas
–
Lower wine production
Smaller tax deduction
Lower retail sales
Fewer family tales
Fewer schools and universities
Fewer hospitals and charities
Without Christmas
–
No landmark cathedrals and churches
Fewer travel and spiritual searches
No vivid Dante “Inferno”
No splendid rose stained-glass window
No Sistine Chapel art by Michaelangelo
No “The Last Supper” by Leonardo
Without Christmas
–
Less faith and clarity
Less hope and charity
Only Father at most
No Son and Holy Ghost
No Mary by our sides
No saints as our guides
Without Christmas
–
No redemptive New Testament
No parables for our assent
No “The Apostle’s Creed”
No “The Lord’s Prayer” indeed
No “Sermon on the Mount”
No baptismal fount
Without Christmas
–
No holy Communion
No heavenly union
Less to inspire
Less to admire
Less to set our hearts afire
Less to raise our spirits higher
Without Christmas