This poem was used in a children's talk in a recent Sunday morning service...


I met a man from Mars today, a very jolly fellow:
He looked like you or me, except his ears were green and yellow.

Now Martians are quite rare round here, they very seldom come,
But this one had dropped in to buy a present for his Mum.
"Well bless my soul", I cried, "Your timing's perfect for that reason,
"For this is what we earthling shoppers call the Christmas season."

"And what is that?" my alien chum inquired in curiosity.
"A time of great importance", I replied with some velocity.
A time of peace, goodwill to men, and joy", said I, and such
"At least, that's what it used to be, but I don't get out much."

"I'll find out for myself", said he, with bold determination:
My guide book says the shop's the place of worship in your nation."
So off he went into the town in search of revelation,
And soon returned, his face suffused with rich illumination.

"I've found it out", my friend declared, "my joy is unrestricted,
"For there, on little printed cards, the story was depicted.
It's all about a reindeer, and a rabbit, and some kittens,
And sweet Victorian children dressed in long red coats and mittens."

"I can't be sure of all the facts, but this much I can say:
The hero is a man in red who rides a flying sleigh.
I'm not sure where it all takes place, or where they have to go,
But I think it must be Norway, 'cause it's five feet deep in snow."

"The red man has a glass of wine, and must have had a drop of it,
For soon a pudding fills the skies, with holly stuck on top of it.
The pudding lands besides a roaring fire with flames and coal in it,
And there's a little robin: yes, he plays a major role in it."

"I'm still puzzled as to where the reindeer goes;
I think he must have caught a cold - he's got a big red nose.
But now I've worked out all clues, the story is quite shocking:
The red man killed the robin in the fireplace, with the stocking."

"No, no", I cried, "You've got it wrong, it's not a murder mystery.
It's all about the birth of Christ, the turning point of history!
God heard our broken hearts, and saw the suffering of our fall.
He sent his Son into the world, who came to save us all."

"Well, if that's true, my friend replied, "you are a funny lot.
To take a thing like that and turn it into what it's not.
The greatest story ever told in all of space or time
You've made it into nonsense: now that's what I call a crime."

"You must be mad", the stranger said, "and if it's all the same,
I'll get back on my saucer and go home the way I came."
He shook his head, and sadly said a last farewell to me.
And that is why you'll never have a Martian come to tea.





Luke 2:8-20