Christmas for TV viewers

'Twas the night before Christmas
and the satellite dish
was receiving the programs
to fulfill every wish.

There were gardening networks
and ones about law,
and all of the sports
any fan ever saw.

From the wires on rooftops
descended the shows
like flakes from the heavens
whenever it snows.

And they drifted in piles
to glut the TV:
hey, here is a rerun
from seventy-three.

While a switch of the dial
brought something brand new:
a rock star on acid
in mid-interview;

As movies were shown
with violence and sex
whether they're rated
an "R" or an "X."

But amid all of that
could be found other shows
with healthier content
than "Friends" or "Melrose."

There is science and knowledge
and religious shows, too,
to improve what you think
and the things that you do.

So the question before you
each night of the week
is: "Which sort of channel
is the channel you seek?"

Would you tune to the junk
or switch to the good?
It's not very hard
to tell which one you should.

But your finger gets twitchy
and there's always a lure
to opt for the lousy,
the cheap and impure.

On the night before Christmas,
give yourself this:
the power to "off"
what you'll never miss

And the strength to say yes
to the shows that are right
so your soul will improve
by the set's twinkling light.

If you do that right now,
then nineteen-nine-eight
will turn out to be
a year greater than great.