The True Meaning of Christmas

That moment children weigh the facts,
And work them through with careful thought,
To ponder if he really acts
The way their parents always taught.
To question all authority
And realise we told them lies,
Then suss their top priority
Is not to let us know they’re wise.

Never try to hold them back,
But let them grow –
For when the story starts to crack
Don’t heap on shams to stem the flow,
But cheer them on to think it through –
For this shall be, by all that’s true,
In all the days we each shall live,
The greatest gift we’ll ever give.

That moment when they favour fact
Above a charming fairytale
That they still wish could be intact,
But know must come to no avail.
To question all authority
And not be swayed, is when they take
Their first step to maturity
That tells the honest from the fake.

Never try to hold them down,
But let them rise.
For buried in frustration’s frown
Are cogs and sparks and watching eyes.
So spur them on to think it straight,
To reason out and cogitate.
In all their days, this stands alone –
The greatest gift they’ll ever own.