Dear Readers,
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! We hope you enjoy these holiday poems:
“Christmas in the Heart” by Paul Laurence Dunbar:
>The snow lies deep upon the ground,
>And winter’s brightness all around
>Decks bravely out the forest sere,
>With jewels of the brave old year.
>The coasting crowd upon the hill
>With some new spirit seems to thrill;
>And all the temple bells achime.
>Ring out the glee of Christmas time.
>In happy homes the brown oak-bough
>Vies with the red-gemmed holly now;
>And here and there, like pearls, there show
>The berries of the mistletoe.
>A sprig upon the chandelier
>Says to the maidens, ‘Come not here!’
>Even the pauper of the earth
>Some kindly gift has cheered to mirth!
>Within his chamber, dim and cold,
>There sits a grasping miser old.
>He has no thought save one of gain, —
>To grind and gather and grasp and drain.
>A peal of bells, a merry shout
>Assail his ear: he gazes out
>Upon a world to him all gray,
>And snarls, ‘Why, this is Christmas Day!’
>No, man of ice, — for shame, for shame!
>For ‘Christmas Day’ is no mere name.
>No, not for you this ringing cheer,
>This festal season of the year.
>And not for you the chime of bells
>From holy temple rolls and swells.
>In day and deed he has no part —
>Who holds not Christmas in his heart!
An excerpt from “Christmas in War Time” by Richard Le Gallienne:
>O pray with all your hearts that war may cease,
>And who knows but that God may hear the prayer.
>So it may come about next Christmas Day
>That we shall hear the happy children play
>Gladly aloud, unmindful of the dead,
>And watch the lovers go
>To the old woods to find the mistletoe.
An excerpt from “Old Santeclaus” by Clement Clarke Moore:
>Old Santeclaus with much delight
>His reindeer drives this frosty night,
>O’er chimney-tops, and tracks of snow,
>To bring his yearly gifts to you.
>The steady friend of virtuous youth,
>The friend of duty, and of truth,
>Each Christmas eve he joys to come
>Where love and peace have made their home.
“Love Came Down at Christmas” by Christina Rossetti:
>Love came down at Christmas,
>Love all lovely, Love Divine,
>Love was born at Christmas,
>Star and Angels gave the sign.
>Worship we the Godhead,
>Love Incarnate, Love Divine,
>Worship we our Jesus,
>But wherewith for sacred sign?
>Love shall be our token,
>Love be yours and love be mine,
>Love to God and all men,
>Love for plea and gift and sign.
An excerpt from “Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:
>I heard the bells on Christmas Day
>Their old, familiar carols play,
>And wild and sweet
>The words repeat
>Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
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“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology—featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication, and reconciliation—is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.