Of glittering snows and holly boughs

And zest of spicy weather,

The hopes and joys of girls and boys

With tinsel stitched together,

Of gaily decorated stores

And toys in right profusion

With tinkling bells and gleeful yells,

A warm and bright confusion.

The lights turned low, the ruddy glow

Of aromatic embers,

A sense of pace, of love released

And sweet things to remember

The Savior’s birth, all men of earth

Their prayers of hope are voicing.

And brings each year with faith renewed

This goodness and rejoicing.

At Christmastime when hearts are warm.

As sheltered from the winter storm,

We gather at our Christmas tree;

God’s love is there, as meant to be.

Though filled with gifts, good food and fun,

Deep in the soul of every one

Abides the Babe of Bethlehem,

Down to the youngest one of them.

Though years bring change and paths will stray

There shines that star each Christmas Day;

Earth knows no paths mankind may roam

Too far from memories of home.

Christmas and Heaven both live in the heart;
May the light of the Bethlehem star
Shine down clear and bright,
through the darkness of night,
And bless you wherever you are.

Each day’s rosy dawning, and red rising sun,
And through the long hours to come,
May the spirit which makes
This Christmas so warm,
Multiply to a fabulous sum.

May love and good fortune be yours every hour,
And a spirit of faith that will sing,
To lift up your soul redeemed
and made whole,
Like the music of bubbling springs.

The Best of Christmas Book 1986

Soft feathery flakes of snow adorn
The waxy green of cedar bough;
White icing covers stubble fields
And furrows from last summer’s plow.

The rafters ring with songs of cheer;
A Christmas tree is trimmed and tall,
The family sheltered snug inside
A rosy glow of love for all.

The frozen pond’s a counterpane
Swept clean by cold wind blowing free
Where rabbits play and leave for day
Their moonlight woven filigree.

The hall is stacked with ribboned gifts’ our hearts are filled with hope sublime
OF peace on earth, good will to men,
A gift of God at Christmastime

Published Ideals Christmas 1960