christmas poems

Christmas Poems

Christmas poems, poems about Christmas, Christmas rhymes, Christmas, xmas, Holiday poetry.
11. Good King Wenceslas
Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen When the snow lay round about Deep and crisp and even Brightly shone the moon that night Though the frost was cruel When a poor man came in sight Gathring winter fuel

Hither, page, and stand by me If thou knowst it, telling Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling? Sire, he lives a good league hence Underneath the mountain Right against the forest fence By Saint Agnes fountain.

Bring me flesh and bring me wine Bring me pine logs hither Thou and I will see him dine When we bear him thither. Page and monarch forth they went Forth they went together Through the rude winds wild lament And the bitter weather

Sire, the night is darker now And the wind blows stronger Fails my heart, I know not how, I can go no longer. Mark my footsteps, my good page Tread thou in them boldly Thou shalt find the winters rage Freeze thy blood less coldly.

In his masters steps he trod Where the snow lay dinted Heat was in the very sod Which the Saint had printed Therefore, Christian men, be sure Wealth or rank possessing Ye who now will bless the poor Shall yourselves find blessing

12. At Christmas
A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year; He is almost what he should be when the Christmas seasons here; Then hes thinking more of others than hes thought the months before, And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for. He is less a selfish creature than at any other time; When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime. When its Christmas man is bigger and is better in his part; He is keener for the service that is prompted by the heart. All the petty thoughts and narrow seem to vanish for awhile And the true reward hes seeking is the glory of a smile. Then for others he is toiling and somehow it seems to me That at Christmas he is almost what God wanted him to be. If I had to paint a picture of a man I think Id wait Till hed fought his selfish battles and had put aside his hate. Id not catch him at his labors when his thoughts are all of pelf, On the long days and the dreary when hes striving for himself. Id not take him when hes sneering, when hes scornful or depressed, But Id look for him at Christmas when hes shining at his best. Man is ever in a struggle and hes oft misunderstood; There are days the worst thats in him is the master of the good, But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide. Oh, I dont know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me That at Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be.
13. A Christmas Carol
I.

The shepherds went their hasty way, And found the lowly stable shed Where the Virgin Mother lay: And now they checked their eager tread, For to the Babe, that at her bosom clung, A Mothers song the Virgin Mother sung.

II.

They told her how a glorious light, Streaming from a heavenly throng. Around them shone, suspending night! While sweeter than a mothers song, Blest Angels heralded the Saviors birth, Glory to God on high! and Peace on Earth.

III.

She listened to the tale divine, And closer still the Babe she pressed: And while she cried, the Babe is mine! The milk rushed faster to her breast: Joy rose within her, like a summers morn; Peace, Peace on Earth! the Prince of Peace is born.

IV.

Thou Mother of the Prince of Peace, Poor, simple, and of low estate! That strife should vanish, battle cease, O why should this thy soul elate? Sweet Musics loudest note, the Poets story, Didst thou neer love to hear of fame and glory?

V.

And is not War a youthful king, A stately Hero clad in mail? Beneath his footsteps laurels spring; Him Earths majestic monarchs hail Their friends, their playmate! and his bold bright eye Compels the maidens love confessing sigh.

VI.

Tell this in some more courtly scene, To maids and youths in robes of state! I am a woman poor and mean, And wherefore is my soul elate. War is a ruffian, all with guilt defiled, That from the aged fathers tears his child!

VII.

A murderous fiend, by fiends adored, He kills the sire and starves the son; The husband kills, and from her board Steals all his widows toil had won; Plunders Gods world of beauty; rends away All safety from the night, all comfort from the day.

VIII.

Then wisely is my soul elate, That strife should vanish, battle cease: Im poor and of low estate, The Mother of the Prince of Peace. Joy rises in me, like a summers morn: Peace, Peace on Earth! The Prince of Peace is born!

14. Christmas Bells
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!

And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Then from each black accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head; There is no peace on earth, I said; For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men!

15. Marmion
Heap on more wood! the wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, Well keep our Christmas merry still. Each age has deemd the new born year The fittest time for festal cheer: Even, heathen yet, the savage Dane At Iol more deep the mead did drain; High on the beach his galleys drew, And feasted all his pirate crew; Then in his low and pine built hall Where shields and axes deckd the wall They gorged upon the half dressd steer; Caroused in seas of sable beer; While round, in brutal jest, were thrown The half gnawd rib, and marrow bone: Or listen?d all, in grim delight, While Scalds yelld out the joys of fight. Then forth, in frenzy, would they hie, While wildly loose their red locks fly, And dancing round the blazing pile, They make such barbarous mirth the while, As best might to the mind recall The boisterous joys of Odins hall.

And well our Christian sires of old Loved when the year its course had rolld, And brought blithe Christmas back again, With all his hospitable train. Domestic and religious rite Gave honour to the holy night; On Christmas Eve the bells were rung; On Christmas Eve the mass was sung: That only night in all the year, Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear. The damsel donnd her kirtle sheen; The hall was dressd with holly green; Forth to the wood did merry men go, To gather in the mistletoe. Then opend wide the Barons hall To vassal, tenant, serf and all; Power laid his rod of rule aside And Ceremony doffd his pride. The heir, with roses in his shoes, That night might village partner choose; The Lord, underogating, share The vulgar game of post and pair. All haild, with uncontrolld delight, And general voice, the happy night, That to the cottage, as the crown, Brought tidings of salvation down.

The fire, with well dried logs supplied, Went roaring up the chimney wide; The huge hall tables oaken face, Scrubbd till it shone, the day to grace, Bore then upon its massive board No mark to part the squire and lord. Then was brought in the lusty brawn, By old blue coated serving man; Then the grim boars head frownd on high, Crested with bays and rosemary. Well can the green garbd ranger tell, How, when, and where, the monster fell; What dogs before his death to tore, And all the baiting of the boar. The wassel round, in good brown bowls, Garnishd with ribbons, blithely trowls. There the huge sirloin reekd; hard by Plum porridge stood, and Christmas pie; Nor faild old Scotland to produce, At such high tide, her savoury goose. Then came the merry makers in, And carols roard with blithesome din; If unmelodious was the song, It was a hearty note, and strong. Who lists may in their mumming see Traces of ancient mystery; White shirts supplied the masquerade, And smutted cheeks the visors made; But, O! what maskers, richly dight, Can boast of bosoms half so light! England was merry England, when Old Christmas brought his sports again. Twas Christmas broachd the mightiest ale; Twas Christmas told the merriest tale; A Christmas gambol oft could cheer The poor mans heart through half the year.

16. T was just this time last year I died
T was just this time last year I died. I know I heard the corn, When I was carried by the farms, It had the tassels on.

I thought how yellow it would look When Richard went to mill; And then I wanted to get out, But something held my will.

I thought just how red apples wedged The stubbles joints between; And carts went stooping round the fields To take the pumpkins in.

I wondered which would miss me least, And when Thanksgiving came, If fatherd multiply the plates To make an even sum.

And if my stocking hung too high, Would it blur the Christmas glee, That not a Santa Claus could reach The altitude of me?

But this sort grieved myself, and so I thought how it would be When just this time, some perfect year, Themselves should come to me.

17. The Oxen
Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock. Now they are all on their knees, An elder said as we sat in a flock By the embers in hearthside ease.

We pictured the meek mild creatures where They dwelt in their strawy pen, Nor did it occur to one of us there To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair a fancy few would weave In these years! Yet, I feel, If someone said on Christmas Eve, Come; see the oxen kneel

In the lonely barton by yonder coomb Our childhood used to know, I should go with him in the gloom, Hoping it might be so.

18. The True Christians
So stick up ivy and the bays, And then restore the heathen ways. Green will remind you of the spring, Though this great day denies the thing. And mortifies the earth and all But your wild revels, and loose hall. Could you wear flowers, and roses strow Blushing upon your breasts warm snow, That very dress your lightness will Rebuke, and wither at the ill. The brightness of this day we owe Not unto music, masque, nor show: Nor gallant furniture, nor plate; But to the mangers mean estate. His life while here, as well as birth, Was but a check to pomp and mirth; And all mans greatness you may see Condemned by His humility. Then leave your open house and noise, To welcome Him with holy joys, And the poor shepherds watchfulness: Whom light and hymns from heaven did bless. What you abound with, cast abroad To those that want, and ease your load. Who empties thus, will bring more in; But riot is both loss and sin. Dress finely what comes not in sight, And then you keep your Christmas right.
19. Talking Turkeys
Be nice to yu turkeys dis christmas Cos turkeys just wanna hav fun Turkeys are cool, turkeys are wicked An every turkey has a Mum. Be nice to yu turkeys dis christmas, Dont eat it, keep it alive, It could be yu mate, an not on your plate Say, Yo! Turkey Im on your side. I got lots of friends who are turkeys An all of dem fear christmas time, Dey wanna enjoy it, dey say humans destroyed it An humans are out of dere mind, Yeah, I got lots of friends who are turkeys Dey all hav a right to a life, Not to be caged up an genetically made up By any farmer an his wife.

Turkeys just wanna play reggae Turkeys just wanna hip hop Can yu imagine a nice young turkey saying, I cannot wait for de chop, Turkeys like getting presents, dey wanna watch christmas TV, Turkeys hav brains an turkeys feel pain In many ways like yu an me.

I once knew a turkey called........ Turkey He said Benji explain to me please, Who put de turkey in christmas An what happens to christmas trees?, I said I am not too sure turkey But its nothing to do wid Christ Mass Humans get greedy an waste more dan need be An business men mek loadsa cash.

Be nice to yu turkey dis christmas Invite dem indoors fe sum greens Let dem eat cake an let dem partake In a plate of organic grown beans, Be nice to yu turkey dis christmas An spare dem de cut of de knife, Join Turkeys United an deyll be delighted An yu will mek new friends FOR LIFE.

20. A Little Friends
Are you........... ready for Christmas? , to decorate the tree, The sparkling baubles that shine with glee, The shops are filled with Christmas galore, But the people are shouting, We want more, Each and every leaf, is covered in snow, Were still waiting for Santas Ho! Ho! Ho! , The Christmas lights, light up the street, Presents to open, people to greet, Look whats under the tall green tree, Are these presents all for me?