Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, be plenteous in mercy is to have the real spirit of Christmas. Calvin Coolidge.

Monday 19 November 2012

WEEK 1: LET'S SHARE!

Poems are a great way to celebrate any occasion. And Christmas is, certainly, no anomaly. 
Let's share some great Christmas poems that everyone will surely love to read. Poems that are sure to touch your heart and stir your feelings. 

Post one of your favourite poems in  the commentary
to score 2-3 points.

Here is the poem I like!

The Little Christmas Tree!
Bob Lazzar-Atwood

A happy little Christmas tree

Stood bravely in the cold,

And prayed, to some nice family,

It one day would be sold

 

It dreamed of all the pretty lights

They'd string around its limbs,

And of the warm and quiet nights

They'd fill with Christmas hymns.

 

It pictured all the happy smiles

On each and every face,

And all the brightly colored piles

Of gifts around its base.

 

So every day the little tree

Would stretch its trunk up high,

And hold its limbs out gracefully

As people passed it by.

 

And many people loved the tree

And often told it so,

But most of them would later leave

With larger trees in tow.

 

With Christmas just a week away

The rush for trees was on,

They sold them faster every day

'til most of them were gone.

 

But not the little Christmas tree

It stayed upon the lot,

And when it closed on Christmas Eve

It still had not been bought.

 

With heavy heart and weary limbs

The tree began to weep,

And as the day grew cold and dim

It cried itself to sleep.

 

That night an angel passing by

Took pity on the tree,

And flew it swiftly though the sky

To find a family.

 

She left it by a poor man’s door

And knocked so he could hear,

She knew that he could not afford

A Christmas tree that year.

 

On Christmas Day the tree awoke

To loud and joyous noise,

It saw the smiles of happy folks

And laughing girls and boys.

 

Its limbs were draped with popcorn strings

And ribbons tied in bows,

And up on top with tinfoil wings

And angel proudly posed.

 

No treasure to be found on Earth

Could match the little tree's,

For none could be of greater worth

than love and family.

 

And way up high above the clouds

Where only angels roam,

A light was shining brighter now,
The tree had found a home.

28 comments:

  1. 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!

    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!

    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!’

    ReplyDelete
  2. Music on Christmas Morning by Anne Bronte

    Music I love — but never strain
    Could kindle raptures so divine,
    So grief assuage, so conquer pain,
    And rouse this pensive heart of mine —
    As that we hear on Christmas morn,
    Upon the wintry breezes borne.

    Though Darkness still her empire keep,
    And hours must pass, ere morning break;
    From troubled dreams, or slumbers deep,
    That music kindly bids us wake:
    It calls us, with an angel’s voice,
    To wake, and worship, and rejoice;

    To greet with joy the glorious morn,
    Which angels welcomed long ago,
    When our redeeming Lord was born,
    To bring the light of Heaven below;
    The Powers of Darkness to dispel,
    And rescue Earth from Death and Hell.

    While listening to that sacred strain,
    My raptured spirit soars on high;
    I seem to hear those songs again
    Resounding through the open sky,
    That kindled such divine delight,
    In those who watched their flocks by night.

    With them I celebrate His birth —
    Glory to God, in highest Heaven,
    Good-will to men, and peace on earth,
    To us a Saviour-king is given;
    Our God is come to claim His own,
    And Satan’s power is overthrown!

    A sinless God, for sinful men,
    Descends to suffer and to bleed;
    Hell MUST renounce its empire then;
    The price is paid, the world is freed,
    And Satan’s self must now confess
    That Christ has earned a right to bless:

    Now holy Peace may smile from heaven,
    And heavenly Truth from earth shall spring:
    The captive’s galling bonds are riven,
    For our Redeemer is our king;
    And He that gave his blood for men
    Will lead us home to God again.

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  4. Recipe for Christmas All Year Long
    By Joanna Fuchs

    Take a heap of child-like wonder
    That opens up our eyes
    To the unexpected gifts in life—
    Each day a sweet surprise.

    Mix in fond appreciation
    For the people whom we know;
    Like festive Christmas candles,
    Each one has a special glow.

    Add some giggles and some laughter,
    A dash of Christmas food,
    (Amazing how a piece of pie
    Improves our attitude!)

    Stir it all with human kindness;
    Wrap it up in love and peace,
    Decorate with optimism, and
    Our joy will never cease.

    If we use this healthy recipe,
    We know we will remember
    To be in the Christmas spirit,
    Even when it's not December.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Christmas Time by Ronald Doe

    Christmas Time is finally here,
    It only comes but once a year.
    And it's a time to spread good cheer,
    To those we love and hold so dear.

    Christmas Time is a time of glee,
    A time when peace and love run free.
    A time for those like you and me,
    To sit beneath the Christmas Tree.

    Christmas Time is a time of joy,
    A time to sit back and enjoy.
    The smile on each girl and boy,
    As they play with a Christmas Toy.

    Christmas Time is a time to share,
    The passing of another year.
    Birth of Jesus, a joyful prayer,
    To show loved ones how much we care.

    Christmas Time is a time for song,
    A time for us to get along.
    To make us feel Lord Jesus strong,
    Forgive all those who did us wrong.

    Christmas Time is a time to pray,
    Put love and kindness on display.
    Show compassion along the way,
    Christmas Time should be everyday

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Three Kings by Longfellow

    Three Kings came riding from far away,
    Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar;
    Three Wise Men out of the East were they,
    And they travelled by night and they slept by day,
    For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star.

    The star was so beautiful, large and clear,
    That all the other stars of the sky
    Became a white mist in the atmosphere,
    And by this they knew that the coming was near
    Of the Prince foretold in the prophecy.

    Three caskets they bore on their saddle-bows,
    Three caskets of gold with golden keys;
    Their robes were of crimson silk with rows
    Of bells and pomegranates and furbelows,
    Their turbans like blossoming almond-trees.

    And so the Three Kings rode into the West,
    Through the dusk of the night, over hill and dell,
    And sometimes they nodded with beard on breast,
    And sometimes talked, as they paused to rest,
    With the people they met at some wayside well.

    "Of the child that is born," said Baltasar,
    "Good people, I pray you, tell us the news;
    For we in the East have seen his star,
    And have ridden fast, and have ridden far,
    To find and worship the King of the Jews."

    And the people answered, "You ask in vain;
    We know of no King but Herod the Great!"
    They thought the Wise Men were men insane,
    As they spurred their horses across the plain,
    Like riders in haste, who cannot wait.

    And when they came to Jerusalem,
    Herod the Great, who had heard this thing,
    Sent for the Wise Men and questioned them;
    And said, "Go down unto Bethlehem,
    And bring me tidings of this new king."

    So they rode away; and the star stood still,
    The only one in the grey of morn;
    Yes, it stopped --it stood still of its own free will,
    Right over Bethlehem on the hill,
    The city of David, where Christ was born.

    And the Three Kings rode through the gate and the guard,
    Through the silent street, till their horses turned
    And neighed as they entered the great inn-yard;
    But the windows were closed, and the doors were barred,
    And only a light in the stable burned.

    And cradled there in the scented hay,
    In the air made sweet by the breath of kine,
    The little child in the manger lay,
    The child, that would be king one day
    Of a kingdom not human, but divine.

    His mother Mary of Nazareth
    Sat watching beside his place of rest,
    Watching the even flow of his breath,
    For the joy of life and the terror of death
    Were mingled together in her breast.

    They laid their offerings at his feet:
    The gold was their tribute to a King,
    The frankincense, with its odor sweet,
    Was for the Priest, the Paraclete,
    The myrrh for the body's burying.

    And the mother wondered and bowed her head,
    And sat as still as a statue of stone,
    Her heart was troubled yet comforted,
    Remembering what the Angel had said
    Of an endless reign and of David's throne.

    Then the Kings rode out of the city gate,
    With a clatter of hoofs in proud array;
    But they went not back to Herod the Great,
    For they knew his malice and feared his hate,
    And returned to their homes by another way.

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    Replies
    1. Well, this is exactly what Christmas was once all about!

      Delete
  7. Christmas Love
    At Christmastime I think of all the gifts
    That bring me great delight and sweet surprise,
    But nothing in this world can bring such joy
    As you do, when you look into my eyes.

    And when I contemplate what Christmas means,
    The caring and the giving--I confess,
    You've given me the things I want the most:
    Your love, your touch, your kiss, your warm caress.
    The Christmas tree reminds me, with its lights
    That just the thought of you sets me aglow;
    You light me up from deep within my heart,
    Because I cherish you, and love you so.

    With you it's Christmas all the time, sweetheart.
    I treasure every hour and every minute.
    Your love is all I'll ever want because,
    My life is so fulfilling with you in it.

    Written by Karl Fuchs, Be My Christmas Gift is a cute and romantic poem in which you can ask your loved one to be your Christmas present.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Henry Vaughan

    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 manger's mean estate.
    His life while here, as well as birth,
    Was but a check to pomp and mirth;
    And all man's greatness you may see
    Condemned by His humility.
    Then leave your open house and noise,
    To welcome Him with holy joys,
    And the poor shepherd's 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.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Minstrels a Christmas Poem by William Wordsworth

    The minstrels played their Christmas tune
    To-night beneath my cottage-eaves;
    While, smitten by a lofty moon,
    The encircling laurels, thick with leaves,
    Gave back a rich and dazzling sheen,
    That overpowered their natural green.


    Through hill and valley every breeze
    Had sunk to rest with folded wings:
    Keen was the air, but could not freeze,
    Nor check, the music of the strings;
    So stout and hardy were the band
    That scraped the chords with strenuous hand.


    And who but listened?--till was paid
    Respect to every inmate's claim,
    The greeting given, the music played
    In honour of each household name,
    Duly pronounced with lusty call,
    And "Merry Christmas" wished to all.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Here`s a funny one)))


    The Christmas Pudding

    Into the basin put the plums,
    Stir-about, stir-about, stir-about!

    Next the good white flour comes,
    Stir-about, stir-about, stir about!

    Sugar and peel and eggs and spice,
    Stir-about, stir-about, stir-about!

    Mix them and fix them and cook them twice,
    Stir-about, stir-about, stir-about!

    English Traditional

    This one is rather misterious)))

    Voices in the Mist

    The time draws near the birth of Christ:
    The moon is hid; the night is still;
    The Christmas bells from hill to hill
    Answer each other in the mist.

    Four voices of four hamlets round,
    From far and near, on mead and moor,
    Swell out and fail, as if a door
    Were shut between me and the sound:

    Each voice four changes on the wind,
    That now dilate, and now decrease,
    Peace and goodwill, goodwill and peace,
    Peace and goodwill, to all mankind.

    Alfred, Lord Tennyson

    ReplyDelete
  11. Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore

    Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
    Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
    The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
    In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

    The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
    While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
    And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
    Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

    When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
    I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
    Away to the window I flew like a flash,
    Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

    The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
    Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
    When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
    But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

    With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
    I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
    More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
    And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

    "Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
    On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
    To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
    Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

    As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
    When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
    So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
    With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

    And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
    The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
    As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
    Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

    He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
    And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
    A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
    And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

    His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
    His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
    His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
    And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

    The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
    And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
    He had a broad face and a little round belly,
    That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

    He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
    And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
    A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
    Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

    He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
    And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
    And laying his finger aside of his nose,
    And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

    He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
    And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
    But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
    "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Oxen - Christmas Poem by Thomas Hardy

    Make it Snow !

    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’

    ReplyDelete
  13. Christmas Long Ago
    A Christmas Poem by Jo Geis

    Frosty days and ice-still nights,
    Fir trees trimmed with tiny lights,
    Sound of sleigh bells in the snow,
    That was Christmas long ago.

    Tykes on sleds and shouts of glee,
    Icy-window filigree,
    Sugarplums and candle glow,
    Part of Christmas long ago.

    Footsteps stealthy on the stair,
    Sweet-voiced carols in the air,
    Stocking hanging in a row,
    Tell of Christmas long ago.

    Starry nights so still and blue,
    Good friends calling out to you,
    Life, so fact, will always slow...
    For dreams of Christmas long ago.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Christmas Is a Time for Love and Fun

    Christmas is a time for love and fun,
    A time to reshape souls and roots and skies,
    A time to give your heart to everyone

    Freely, like a rich and lavish sun,
    Like a burning star to those whose lonely sighs
    Show need of such a time for love and fun.

    For children first, whose pain is never done,
    Whose bright white fire of anguish never dies,
    It's time to give your heart to every one,

    That not one angel fall, to hatred won
    For lack of ears to listen to her cries,
    Or arms to carry him towards love and fun,

    Or friends to care what happens on the run
    To adult life, where joy or sadness lies.
    It's time to give your heart to everyone,

    For God loves all, and turns His back on none,
    Good or twisted, ignorant or wise.
    Christmas is a time for love and fun,
    A time to give your heart to everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Christmas is a time – for sharing
    By Linda Laughlin

    Old stories passed down through the years
    "what grandpa did one Christmas eve"
    Had you laughing through your tears

    Christmas is a time - for caring
    About your family, neighbors and friends
    Lending a hand to others in need
    before the season ends

    Christmas is a time - for giving
    Presents that came from your heart
    Watching the children, hearing their laughter
    As the packages are torn apart

    Christmas is a time - for peace
    When soldiers lay aside their guns
    And raise a glass to peace and good will
    To every father and every son

    Christmas is a time - for remembering
    Family not with us on Christmas morn
    And why people everywhere celebrate
    The night our savior was born

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  17. Ring out, wild bells - Christmas Poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

    Make it Snow !

    Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
    The flying cloud, the frosty light;
    The year is dying in the night;
    Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

    Ring out the old, ring in the new,
    Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
    The year is going, let him go;
    Ring out the false, ring in the true.

    Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
    For those that here we see no more,
    Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
    Ring in redress to all mankind.

    Ring out a slowly dying cause,
    And ancient forms of party strife;
    Ring in the nobler modes of life,
    With sweeter manners, purer laws.

    Ring out the want, the care the sin,
    The faithless coldness of the times;
    Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
    But ring the fuller minstrel in.

    Ring out false pride in place and blood,
    The civic slander and the spite;
    Ring in the love of truth and right,
    Ring in the common love of good.

    Ring out old shapes of foul disease,
    Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
    Ring out the thousand wars of old,
    Ring in the thousand years of peace.

    Ring in the valiant man and free,
    The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
    Ring out the darkness of the land,
    Ring in the Christ that is to be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  18. A Christmas Lesson
    by Tom Krause

    "Is there a purpose? Why are we here?"
    A little boy asked as the yuletide drew near.
    "I really do hope that someday I will know
    the reason we stand out here in the snow,
    ringing this bell as people walk by,
    while thousands of snowflakes
    descend from the sky."

    The mother just smiled at her shivering son
    who would rather be playing and having some fun
    but soon would discover before evening was done
    the meaning of Christmas
    the very first one.

    The young boy exclaimed, "Mother where does it go?"
    "All the pennies we collect - every year in the snow."
    "Why do we do it? Why do we care?"
    "We worked for these pennies,
    so why should we share?"

    "Because once a Baby - so meek and so mild
    was born in a manger - so humble the child
    the Son of a King - was born in this way
    to give us the message
    He carried that day.

    "The present God gave the world on that night,
    was the gift of his Son to make everything right.
    Why did he do it? Why did he care?
    To teach about loving
    and how we should share."

    "The meaning of Christmas, you see my dear son,
    is not about presents or just having fun
    but the gift of a Father - His own precious Son
    so the world would be saved
    when His work was all done"

    Now the little boy smiled - with a tear in his eye
    as snowflakes kept falling from out of the sky -
    rang louder the bell as the people walked by
    while down deep in his heart
    at last he knew why.

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  19. A CHRISTMAS POEM

    I have a list of folks I know, all written in a book
    And every year when Christmas comes, I go and take a look,
    And that is when I realize that these names are a part
    Not of the book they are written in, but really of my heart

    For each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometime,
    And in the meeting they've become the rhythm in each rhyme
    And while it sounds fantastic for me to make this claim,
    I really feel that I'm composed of each remembered name

    And while you may not be aware of any special link
    Just meeting you has changed my life a lot more than you think
    For once I've met somebody, the years cannot erase
    The memory of a pleasant word or of a friendly face

    So never think my Christmas cards are just a mere routine
    Of names upon a Christmas list, forgotten in between,
    For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you,
    It is because you're on the list that I'm indebted to

    For You are but a total of the many folks I've met,
    And you happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget
    And whether I have known you for many years or few,
    In some ways you have a part in shaping things I do

    And every year when Christmas comes, I realize a new,
    The best gifts life can offer is meeting folks like you.
    And may the spirit of Christmas that forever endures
    Leave its richest blessings in the hearts of mine and yours

    Author: KRISTEN M SACCARDI

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  20. Christmas lights
    by Chris Martin

    Christmas night, another fight
    Tears we cried are flood
    Got all kinds of poison in
    Of poison in my blood

    I took my feet to Oxford street
    Trying to right a wrong
    «Just walk away» those windows say
    But I can’t believe she’s gone

    When you'rt still waiting for the snow to fall
    It doesn’t really feel like Christmas at all

    A group of cameras on there flicker
    Oh they flicker and they flow
    And I am up here holding on to all those chandeliers of hope
    Like some drunkard Elvis singing
    I am go singing out of tune
    Singing how I always loved you darling
    And how I always will

    But when your still waiting for the snowfall
    Doesn’t really feel like Christmas at all
    Still waiting for the snow to fall
    It doesn’t really feel like Christmas at all

    Those Christmas Lights
    Light up the street
    Down where the sea and city meet
    May all your troubles soon be gone
    Ohh Christmas Lights keep shining on

    Those Christmas Lights
    Light up the street
    Maybe they bring her back to me
    Then all my troubles will be gone
    Ohh Christmas Lights keep shining on

    Ohh Christmas Lights
    Light up the streets
    Light up the fireworks in me
    May all your troubles soon be gone
    Those Christmas Lights keep shining on

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  21. NO MORE COMMENTARIES AND REPLIES!

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