From a commercial point of view, if Christmas did not exist it would be necessary to invent it.
—Katharine Whitehorn (b.1928) English Journalist, Writer, Columnist
We should make the Yuletide season an occasion not merely for the giving of material things but an occasion for the giving of that which counts infinitely more … the giving of self.
—James Cash Penney (1875–1971) American Entrepreneur
So remember while December
Brings the only Christmas day,
In the year let there be Christmas
In the things you do and say.
—Anonymous
The only real blind person at Christmas-time is he who has not Christmas in his heart.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles.
—Indian Proverb
Somehow, not only for Christmas, But all the long year through, The joy that you give to others, Is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing, The poor and lonely and sad, The more of your heart’s possessing, Returns to you glad.
—John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–92) American Quaker Poet, Abolitionist
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 (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Love came down at Christmas;
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Stars and angels gave the sign.
—Christina Rossetti (1830–94) English Poet, Hymn Writer
There’s more, much more, to Christmas
Than candlelight and cheer;
It’s the spirit of sweet friendship
That brightens all year.
It’s thoughtfulness and kindness,
It’s hope reborn again,
For peace, for understanding,
And for goodwill to men!
—Unknown
When Christmas bells are swinging above the fields of snow,
We hear sweet voices ringing from lands of long ago,
And etched on vacant places
Are half-forgotten faces
Of friends we used to cherish, and loves we used to know.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850–1919) American Poet, Journalist
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 (1811–63) English Novelist
Three wise women would have…
asked directions,
arrived on time,
helped deliver the baby,
cleaned the stable,
made a casserole,
brought practical gifts,
and there would be peace on Earth.
—Indian Proverb
Christmas day is a day of joy and charity. May God make you very rich in both.
—Phillips Brooks (1835–93) American Episcopal Clergyman, Author
Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days, that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the sailor and the traveler, thousands of miles away, back to his own fireside and his quiet home!
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
This is the month, and this the happy morn, wherein the Son of heaven’s eternal King, of wedded Maid and Virgin Mother born, our great redemption from above did bring.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
—Hamilton Wright Mabie (1846–1916) American Essayist, Editor
Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.
—Eric Sevareid (1912–92) American Journalist, Author
The right way to requite evil, according to Jesus, is not to resist it. This saying of Christ removes the Church from the sphere of politics and law.
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–45) German Lutheran Pastor, Theologian
If there is no joyous way to give a festive gift, give love away.
—Unknown
Christmas is sights, especially the sights of Christmas reflected in the eyes of a child.
—William Saroyan (1908–81) American Playwright, Novelist
And when we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, and the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans–and all that lives and move upon them. He has given us all green things and everything that blossoms and bears fruit and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused–and to save us from our foolishness, from all our sins, He came down to earth and gave us Himself.
—Sigrid Undset (1882–1949) Norwegian Novelist
Of all the old festivals, however, that of Christmas awakens the strongest and most heartfelt associations. There is a tone of solemn and sacred feeling that blends with our conviviality, and lifts the sprit to a state of hallowed and elevated enjoyment.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
One of the nice things about Christmas is that you can make people forget the past with a present.
—Indian Proverb
Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.
—Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957) American Children’s Novelist
Heap on the wood!-the wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, We’ll keep our Christmas merry still.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Christmas renews our youth by stirring our wonder. The capacity for wonder has been called our most pregnant human faculty, for in it are born our art, our science, our religion.
—Ralph Washington Sockman (1889–1970) American United Methodist Pastor
Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
Christmas … is not an eternal event at all, but a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart…
—Freya Stark (1893–1993) British Explorer, Writer
Christmas is the season of joy, of holiday greetings exchanged, of gift-giving, and of families united.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
“But I am sure that I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round…as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely.”
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
“Somehow he [Tim] gets thoughtful sitting by himself so much, and thinks the strangest things you ever heard. He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant for them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see.”
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas ought to be, Christmas is.
—Eric Sevareid (1912–92) American Journalist, Author
Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Essayist, Biographer, Historian
“Out upon merry Christmas! What’s Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer… If I could work my will,” said Scrooge indignantly, “every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ upon his lips should be boiled with his won pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!”
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
Mankind is a great, an immense family… This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas.
—Pope John XXIII (1881–1963) Italian Catholic Religious Leader, Pope
Christmas is not just a time for festivity and merry making. It is more than that. It is a time for the contemplation of eternal things. The Christmas spirit is a spirit of giving and forgiving.
—James Cash Penney (1875–1971) American Entrepreneur
Christmas is a time when everybody wants his past forgotten and his present remembered. What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.
—Phyllis Diller (b.1917) American Actor, Comedian
Then Bob proposed: “A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!” Which all his family re-echoed. “God bless us every one!” said Tiny Tim, the last of all.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
Christmas is not in tinsel and lights and outward show.
The secret lies in an inner glow.
It’s lighting a fire inside the heart.
Good will and joy a vital part.
It’s higher thought and a greater plan.
It’s glorious dream in the soul of man.
—Wilferd Arlan Peterson (1900–95) American Author
Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.
—Theodor Seuss Geisel (‘Dr. Seuss’) (1904–91) American Children’s Books Writer, Writer, Cartoonist, Animator
It was always said of him [Scrooge] that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us!
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world – stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death – and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas.
—Henry van Dyke Jr. (1852–1933) American Author, Educator, Clergyman
When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things—not the great occasions—that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness.
—Bob Hope (1903–2003) British-born American Comedian
‘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.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Once upon a time—of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve—old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
“A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!” cried a cheerful voice. “Bah!” said Scrooge. “Humbug!”
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
The earth has grown old with its burden of care
But at Christmas it always is young,
The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair
And its soul full of music breaks the air,
When the song of angels is sung.
—Phillips Brooks (1835–93) American Episcopal Clergyman, Author
I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to all the world!
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist