A few nights before Christmas
The middle of Hanukkah
Los Angeles is stirring
A City Symphonica
Shoppers on Broadway
Like peas in a pod
Wishing each other
Feliz Navidad
Crowds keep an eye out
For gifts that will thrill
On Pico and Central
On Sunset and Hill
When down Santee Alley
Who should appear
But Hanukkah Harry
And a team of reindeer
He pulls up his sleigh
Steps down to the street
He smiles and he waves
To all he who he meets
He cannot stay long
He just stopped to say
That Santa and he
Are working away
"There's trouble around
all through our world
Enough to be frightful
for each boy and girl
So Santa and I
Must share this year's load
For only one person
It's too long of a road
It's a good thing we're pals
Old Santa and I
Although our faiths differ
He's still a good guy
So we're splitting the load
All through the city
We'll visit all homes
The gorgeous and gritty
Whether Christmas or Kwanzaa
Hanukkah or New Year's
We want to bring hope
And ease some of your fears
So if you see Santa or me
Or perhaps another fellow
Dressed in red or white
Or green or yellow
Remember that different
Doesn't mean wrong
We all have our customs
Faith, feast and song
So be like Santa and me
As we're dashing around
Look past the difference
And find common ground
Jerry Sullivan is editor of the Los Angeles Garment & Citizen.
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