The Rebel Jesus

All the streets are filled with laughter and light
 And the music of the season
 And the merchants' windows are all bright
 With the faces of the children
 And the families hurrying to their homes
 While the sky darkens and freezes
 Will be gathering around the hearths and tables
 Giving thanks for God's graces
 And the birth of the rebel Jesus
 Well they call him by 'the Prince of Peace'
 And they call him by 'the Savior'
 And they pray to him upon the seas
 And in every bold endeavor
 And they fill his churches with their pride and gold
 As their faith in him increases
 But they've turned the nature that I worship in
 From a temple to a robber's den
 In the words of the rebel Jesus
 Well we guard our world with locks and guns
 And we guard our fine possessions
 And once a year when Christmas comes
 We give to our relations
 And perhaps we give a little to the poor
 If the generosity should seize us
 But if any one of us should interfere
 In the business of why there are poor
 They get the same as the rebel Jesus
 Now pardon me if I have seemed
 To take the tone of judgement
 For I've no wish to come between
 This day and your enjoyment
 In a life of hardship and of earthly toil
 There's a need for anything that frees us
 So I bid you pleasure
 And I bid you cheer
 From a heathen and a pagan
 On the side of the rebel Jesus