Wishing a Very Merry Christmas 2015!
“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
“The rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting.” ~ Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
“A merry Christmas, Bob! said Scrooge, with an earnestness that could not be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back.” ~ Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
“This is quite the season indeed for friendly meetings. At Christmas every body invites their friends about them, and people think little of even the worst weather. I was snowed up at a friend’s house once for a week. Nothing could be pleasanter. I went for only one night, and could not get away till that very day se’nnight.” ~ Jane Austen, Emma
“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 Christmas-time.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder
“Christmas! ‘Tis the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” ~ Washington Irving
“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; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!” ~ Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers
“Thousands of lights were burning on the green branches, and gaily-colored pictures, such as she had seen in the shop-windows, looked down upon her. The little maiden stretched out her hands towards them when–the match went out. The lights of the Christmas tree rose higher and higher, she saw them now as stars in heaven.” ~ Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Match Girl
“It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” ~ Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas
“At last the anchor was up, the sails were set, and off we glided. It was a sharp, cold Christmas; and as the short northern day merged into night, we found ourselves almost broad upon the wintry ocean, whose freezing spray cased us in ice, as in polished armor.” ~ Herman Melville, Moby Dick
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know.
Where the treetops glisten,
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write.
May your days be merry and bright.
And may all your Christmases be white.
~ Irving Berlin, White Christmas
Isn’t it interesting how literature celebrates Christmas in so many venues. I didn’t really think about it. You can’t take Christmas out of the season. Thanks for all the research you did in order to find these references. Hope your Christmas was grand.
Thank you for this post Sharon. I have read most of these books although The Little Matchgirl always makes me cry. I would like to thank you for all your lovely posts and wish you and your family a very happy Christmas ?