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!
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
For somehow not
only at Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to
others
Is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in
blessing
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's
possessing
Returns to make you glad.
~ John Greenleaf Whittier
Whatever else be lost among the years, Let us keep
Christmas still a
shining thing: Whatever doubts
assail us, or what fears, Let us hold close
one
day, remembering Its poignant meaning for the hearts
of men. Let us
get back our childlike faith again.
~Grace Noll Crowell
