Christmas
December 25

In the United States Christmas has become the rape of an idea.
- - - Richard Bach

In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukka' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukka!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!'"
- - - Dave Barry "Christmas Shopping: A Survivor's Guide"

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know,
Where the tree tops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
- - - Irving Berlin

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, make the Yuletide gay.
- - - Ralph Blane "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Dear Lord, I've been asked, nay commanded, to thank Thee for the Christmas turkey before us... a turkey which was no doubt a lively, intelligent bird... a social being... capable of actual affection... nuzzling its young with almost human- like compassion. Anyway, it's dead and we're gonna eat it. Please give our respects to its family...
- - - Berke Breathed

God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
Was born upon this day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy!
For Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
Was born on Christmas Day.
- - - Dinah Maria Mulock Craik "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen"

Let Us Keep Christmas
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
It's poignant meaning for the hearts of men.
Let us get back our childlike faith again.
- - - Grace Noll Crowell

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!
- - - Charles Dickens

I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.
- - - Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol"

Silver bells, silver bells,
It's Christmas time in the city.
- - - Ray Evans "Silver Bells"

Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a glorious star, the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men falling to their knees in adoration of the sweet baby, the incarnation of perfect love.
- - - Lucinda Franks "Pilgrimage" NY Times 23 Dec 84

May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love.
- - - Ada V. Hendricks

Do give books - religious or otherwise - for Christmas. They're never fattening, seldom sinful, and permanently personal.
- - - Lenore Hershey

Next to a circus there ain't nothing that packs up and tears out faster than the Christmas spirit.
- - - Kin Hubbard

A lovely thing about Christmas is that it's compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.
- - - Garrison Keillor

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 "Christmas Bells"

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
- - - Hamilton Wright Mabi

Now, 'Dasher!' now, 'Dancer!' now, 'Prancer' and 'Vixen!'
On, 'Comet!' on, 'Cupid!' on, 'Donner' and 'Blitzen!'
- - - Clement C. Moore "The Night Before Christmas"

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat,
Please to put a penny in an old man's hat;
If you haven't got a penny a ha'penny will do,
If you haven't got a ha'penny, God bless you.
- - - Mother Goose

Merry Christmas, Nearly Everybody!
- - - Ogden Nash

We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice.
- - - Pope Paul VI "Christmas address 23 Dec 65"

I hear that in many places something has happened to Christmas; that it is changing from a time of merriment and carefree gaiety to a holiday which is filled with tedium; that many people dread the day and the obligation to give Christmas presents is a nightmare to weary, bored souls; that the children of enlightened parents no longer believe in Santa Claus; that all in all, the effort to be happy and have pleasure makes many honest hearts grow dark with despair instead of beaming with good will and cheerfulness.
- - - Julia Peterkin "A Plantation Christmas" (1934)

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
Star and angels gave the sign.
- - - Christina Rossetti

Christmas is the one time of year when people of all religions come together to worship Jesus Christ.
- - - Bart Simpson "The Simpsons" 1989

Christmas begins about the first of December with an office party and ends when you finally realize what you spent, around April fifteenth of the next year.
- - - P. J. O'Rourke

'Twas Christmas broach'd the mightiest ale;
'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;
A Christmas gambol oft could cheer
The poor man's heart through half the year.
- - - Sir Walter Scott "Marmion"

At Christmas I no more desire a rose
Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled mirth;
But like of each thing that in season grows.
- - - William Shakespeare "Love's Labour's Lost"

Christmas is the day that holds all time together.
- - - Alexander Smith

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.
- - - Alfred, Lord Tennyson "In Memoriam"

Christmas is here:
Winds whistle shrill,
Icy and chill.
Little care we;
Little we fear
Weather without,
Sheltered about
The Mahogany Tree.
- - - William Makepeace Thackeray "The Mahogany Tree"

At Christmas play and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year.
- - - Thomas Tusser "The Farmer's Daily Diet