Christmas in Tucson, Arizona

The visitor sadly shook his head
As he basked in the tropical sun;
"Call this Christmas?" to me he said,
"Well, not where I come from."

"Christmas needs snow and ice and cold,
And the sound of the sleighbells ring.
As for me, I can't be cold
On weather that feels like Spring.

Santa Claus in a bathing suit?
No sir, it just isn't right.
Cranberry sauce and tropical fruit
I think it's an awful fright."

"My poor misguided friend," I said,
"Your lament does not ring true.
You're mixed up by the things you read
From a myth you take your clue.

For no snow fell on Bethlehem
On the night the star first shone.
There was no blizzard nor howling gale
That swept with a shriek and a moan.

The breezes were soft and what is more,
The night that the Christ Child came,
Hibiscus bloomed near the stable door
As Mary murmured His name.

Bougainvillea of a violet hue
Arched in a graceful bower,
Poinsettias wet with the midnight dew
Enhanced that sacred hour.

The heavenly host in the sky
Proclaimed the birth of the King,
And rustling palms echoed the cry
As the whole earth seemed to sing.

We find here in our sun drenched land,
Untouched by the ice and snow,
That the spirit of Christmas is near at hand,
And we feel God willed it so.

[ Author Unknown -- from 'Colorado Comments' ]