Holiday Programming

When we were young, we searched for the meaning

To TV’s wisdom we seemed to be leaning

Charlie Brown thought Christmas had gone too commercial;

His protests became quite controversial

Rudolph was being bullied and teased,

Ebenezer Scrooge was always displeased

Frosty dealt with his melting plight

Snow & Heat Misers argued outright

These are some memories of our Christmases past

Why do these stories continue to last?

It must be that each hero discovers a reason

To be thankful and joyful each holiday season

I hope you don’t need a cartoon special feature

To be your Christmas Spirit teacher

Turn off the TV, open your heart and mind

May this be the year you seek and you find

Author's Note

Several years ago, I stopped buying Christmas cards, and started to write my own holiday greeting. This was the poem I sent to everyone a few years ago.

Reviews

[Joyce S. Greene]

Guess every holiday special needs a crisis and a resolution and they all seem to end the same - everyone singing around the Christmas tree, love filling the air. If only that were the way it always worked out! Too many Christmases are spoiled by the gross materialism and family frictions of real life. You did a great job with your Christmas greetings poem, Rita. It says a lot and reminds us of the true joys of the Season. Merry Christmas!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Joyce - yes, we let family friction and "stuff" get in the way of enjoying each other at Christmas... I try to keep it simple... Merry and happy to you and yours!

[Tom]

A heartfelt Christmas appeal ... share happiness with others !!

[Rita L. Sev]

At Christmas and always! Thanks, Tom!

[Michael G. Smith]

Wonderful holiday message. You always know what to and how to it, I have to the movie Holiday Inn every year to bolster my Christmas Spirit.

[Rita L. Sev]

We watch every possible version of "A Christmas Carol". :) Thanks, Michael!

[Michael G. Smith]

Love the original. It scared me as I kid. I named my son after Jacob Marley. Merry Christmas!!

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

This is a lovely piece of writing. Growing up with these programs and characters, you can't help but smile. "Snow & Heat Misers argued outright" classic!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Travis! I still laugh at Snow and Heat Misers, and their Mom, Mother Nature! :)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

As do I! lol

[00000000000000000000000..]

Awesome and filled with truth:)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Jon! :)

[0000000000000000000000000000]

Welcome Rita:)

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Well Carlie Brown had the right idea. I know some of those cartoons seem messed up but they do entertain the kids. But you have a well meaning point.

[Rita L. Sev]

Don't get me wrong - I watch these shows every year - quite nostalgic, really. But the real message of Christmas should come from somewhere other than a cartoon... Thanks, Dale!

[Jack...]

But if I turn off my TV, how will I see Santa sledding down the hill on the back of an electric razor?

Nice one Rita.

[Rita L. Sev]

LOL! Or the Hershey's Kiss bell choir... :) Thanks, Jack.

[Jack...]

Oh an what was the name of that toy store that always had a special on TV during the holidays? It was from somewhere in Pennsylvania...Kress or Kregg, something like that?

[Rita L. Sev]

Was it Kresge? I think they became Kmart. Wow - a blast from the past!

[Jack...]

Yes that is exactly who it was. As kids I remember my sister and I glued to the television to see all of the new toys. Thanks Rita.

[s y e]

That would have been one amazing card, Rita - I love 'A Christmas Carol' I watch it every year and I always call people who aren't into Christmas 'Scrooge' and say 'Ba Humbug' to them, ahahaha. :P

Loved this.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Noodle! We watch every known version of "A Christmas Carol" every year, and I read it regularly too. :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and a poem of good advice it is...

we only need to search our hearts for the true meaning of Christmas...peace and joy---

charlie brown is right...too commercial..

i liked his ugly tree...ugly but it had meaning...

[Rita L. Sev]

Our official tree is the scraggly Charlie Brown tree with one ornament. For two children of the 70s, that tree has the most meaning for my husband and me... Thank you, Jacob. :)