December 9th - Christmas child

Every year I fill three shoe boxes with various items which are sent off to the Philippines to a children's orphanage and hospital by a local charity.
Every year the hospital/orphanage posts photos on Facebook of the kids opening their boxes.  

Their reaction inspired me to write this little poem

For Christmas this year would you like       

some toothpaste and a bar of soap,
a ruler, rubber and some pens ?
I see your eyes are full of hope.
Perhaps the shoe box wrapped in red
will hold a plastic brush or comb,
or maybe you will find instead
a bag of sweets to call your own.
The notebook, lined, is lots of fun
to use with felt tipped pens ( one pack)
I hope the socks will fit your feet
because we cannot send them back.
Dear Christmas child, were I to give
this gift to my kids Christmas night
I know it would be met with scorn
and disbelief, not pure delight
Oh Christmas child you teach us all
the humble way of thankfulness,
perhaps if we all had your heart
the world would not be such a mess.