HOLLY AND PINE by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER

WHEN Christmas comes with mirth and cheer
To clasp the circlet of the year,
Then forth we go for holly and pine,
Our wreaths of evergreen to twine;
Then swift we trip across the snow,
To find the gleaming mistletoe,
And straight and tall and branching free,
We haste to choose the Christmas-tree.

When Christmas comes, for Mother and Kate,
All sorts of sweet surprises wait;
And little fingers thrill with joy
As pretty gifts their skill employ.
When Christmas comes each tries her best
To make it beautiful for the rest,
And no one thinks of selfish ease,
But seeks his neighbor to serve and please.

When Christmas comes, there is none so poor
He will turn the beggar from his door;
When Christmas comes the rich and great
Search out their brothers of low estate,
And the sleigh-bells ring, the church-bells chime,
The children sing in the merry time,
And smiles and greetings leap to lips,
That long were set in grief's eclipse,
For angels of comfort come and go,
Within the Yule-Log's radiant glow.

When Christmas comes, I think again,
Heaven stoops to wish good-will to men,
And God, who loves this earth of ours,
With love once more the whole earth dowers;
And the Babe who slept on Mary's knee,
Once more brings peace to you and me;
And storms may beat, and the winds be wild,
But the lowly mother, the Holy Child,
As in the manger, charm us yet.
All strife and evil our souls forget,
And each believing worshipper
Brings gold and frankincense and myrrh,
And the tongues of hate are hushed and dumb,
When again the Christmas angels come.

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...