Christmas Poems & Meaning
Selected Christmas Poems
Events PoetryA Christmas Carol
I.
The Shepherds went their hasty way,
And found the lowly stable-shed
Where the Virgin-Mother lay:
And now they checked their eager tread,
For to the Babe, that at her bosom clung,
A Mother’s song the Virgin-Mother sung.
II.
They told her how a glorious light,
Streaming from a heavenly throng,
Around them shone, suspending night!
While sweeter than a Mother’s song,
Blest Angels heralded the Saviour’s birth,
Glory to God on high! and Peace on Earth.
III.
She listened to the tale divine,
And closer still the Babe she pressed;
And while she cried, the Babe is mine!
The milk rushed faster to her breast:
Joy rose within her, like a summer’s morn;
Peace, Peace on Earth! the Prince of Peace is born.
IV.
Thou Mother of the Prince of Peace,
Poor, simple, and of low estate!
That Strife should vanish, Battle cease,
O why should this thy soul elate?
Sweet Music’s loudest note, the Poet’s story,—
Did’st thou ne’er love to hear of Fame and Glory?
V.
And is not War a youthful King,
A stately Hero clad in Mail?
Beneath his footsteps laurels spring;
Him Earth’s majestic monarchs hail
Their Friend, their Playmate! and his bold bright eye
Compels the maiden’s love-confessing sigh.
VI.
“Tell this in some more courtly scene,
“To maids and youths in robes of state!
“I am a woman poor and mean,
“And therefore is my Soul elate.
“War is a ruffian, all with guilt defiled,
“That from the aged Father tears his Child!
VII.
“A murderous fiend, by fiends adored,
“He kills the Sire and starves the Son;
“The Husband kills, and from her board
“Steals all his Widow’s toil had won;
“Plunders God’s world of beauty; rends away
“All safety from the Night, all comfort from the Day.
VIII.
“Then wisely is my soul elate,
“That Strife should vanish, Battle cease:
“I’m poor and of a low estate,
“The Mother of the Prince of Peace.
“Joy rises in me, like a summer’s morn:
“Peace, Peace on Earth, the Prince of Peace is born.”
Overview Short Summary
Coleridge’s Christmas poem retells the shepherds’ visit and Mary’s response, then turns the Nativity into a powerful argument against war.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Peace: The poem repeatedly presents Christ as the Prince of Peace.
- Motherhood: Mary’s closeness to the child gives the poem emotional tenderness.
- Anti-war feeling: War is described as destructive, cruel, and opposed to the Christmas message.
Emotional Effect Tone and Mood
The tone is devotional, emotional, and morally serious. The mood begins joyful and becomes intense as the poem contrasts Christmas peace with violence.
Craft Literary Devices
- Contrast: Peace and war are set against each other throughout the poem.
- Personification: War is treated as a violent person or “ruffian.”
- Simile: Joy rises “like a summer’s morn,” adding warmth to the Nativity scene.
Christmas Carol
Ring out, ye bells!
All Nature swells
With gladness at the wondrous story,—
The world was lorn,
But Christ is born
To change our sadness into glory.
Sing, earthlings, sing!
To-night a King
Hath come from heaven’s high throne to bless us.
The outstretched hand
O’er all the land
Is raised in pity to caress us.
Come at his call;
Be joyful all;
Away with mourning and with sadness!
The heavenly choir
With holy fire
Their voices raise in songs of gladness.
The darkness breaks
And Dawn awakes,
Her cheeks suffused with youthful blushes.
The rocks and stones
In holy tones
Are singing sweeter than the thrushes.
Then why should we
In silence be,
When Nature lends her voice to praises;
When heaven and earth
Proclaim the truth
Of Him for whom that lone star blazes?
No, be not still,
But with a will
Strike all your harps and set them ringing;
On hill and heath
Let every breath
Throw all its power into singing!
Overview Short Summary
This joyful Christmas poem calls all of nature and humanity to sing because Christ is born. It turns Christmas into a universal song of praise.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Joy: The poem is full of bells, singing, harps, and gladness.
- Hope: Christ’s birth changes sadness into glory.
- Creation praising: Nature joins people in celebration.
Emotional Effect Tone and Mood
The tone is triumphant and celebratory. The mood is bright, musical, and uplifting, making this a strong Christmas poem for church, school, and family readings.
Craft Literary Devices
- Personification: Nature, dawn, rocks, and stones are given voices and emotions.
- Sound imagery: Bells, choir, harps, and singing create the poem’s music.
- Imperative language: Commands such as “Sing” and “Strike” make the poem energetic.
A Hymn on the Nativity of My Savior
I sing the birth was born tonight,
The Author both of life and light;
The angels so did sound it.
And like the ravished shepherds said,
Who saw the light and were afraid,
Yet searched, and true they found it.
The Son of God, the eternal King,
That did us all salvation bring,
And freed the soul from danger;
He whom the whole world could not take,
The Word, which heaven and earth did make,
Was now laid in a manger.
The Father’s wisdom willed it so,
The Son’s obedience knew no “No,”
Both wills were in one stature;
And as that wisdom had decreed,
The Word was now made Flesh indeed,
And took on Him our nature.
What comfort by Him do we win?
Who made Himself the Prince of sin,
To make us heirs of glory?
To see this Babe, all innocence,
A Martyr born in our defense,
Can man forget this story?
Overview Short Summary
Ben Jonson’s hymn celebrates the birth of Christ and explains the Nativity as a moment of salvation, humility, and divine mystery.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Incarnation: The poem focuses on the Word made flesh.
- Salvation: Christ is born to free the soul and bring glory.
- Humility: The eternal King is placed in a manger.
Emotional Effect Tone and Mood
The tone is solemn, theological, and worshipful. The mood is serious and reverent, suitable for readers looking for religious Christmas poems with meaning.
Craft Literary Devices
- Paradox: The ruler of heaven and earth is shown as a baby in a manger.
- Allusion: The poem refers to shepherds, angels, the Word, and the manger.
- Rhetorical question: The final question asks readers to remember the spiritual meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Greetings from a Fairy to a Child
Lady dear, if Fairies may
For a moment lay aside
Cunning tricks and elfish play,
’Tis at happy Christmas-tide.
We have heard the children say—
Gentle children, whom we love—
Long ago, on Christmas Day,
Came a message from above.
Still, as Christmas-tide comes round,
They remember it again—
Echo still the joyful sound
“Peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Yet the hearts must childlike be
Where such heavenly guests abide:
Unto children, in their glee,
All the year is Christmas-tide!
Thus, forgetting tricks and play
For a moment, Lady dear,
We would wish you, if we may,
Merry Christmas, glad New Year!
Overview Short Summary
This Christmas poem imagines fairies setting aside their playful tricks to offer a childlike Christmas greeting. It connects fantasy with peace, joy, and goodwill.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Childlike joy: The poem values innocent happiness and wonder.
- Christmas peace: The phrase “Peace on earth, good-will to men” gives the poem its moral center.
- Imagination: Fairies make the poem playful and suitable for children.
Emotional Effect Tone and Mood
The tone is light, affectionate, and whimsical. The mood is cheerful and magical, making it a lovely short Christmas poem for kids.
Craft Literary Devices
- Fantasy imagery: Fairies and elfish play add charm to the poem.
- Repetition: Christmas-tide returns as a symbol of ongoing joy.
- Allusion: The poem echoes the biblical message of peace and goodwill.
Reader Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Christmas poems for kids?
Good Christmas poems for kids are usually short, musical, easy to understand, and full of clear images such as bells, snow, gifts, angels, stars, family, and Christmas Eve. “Christmastide,” “Christmas Greetings from a Fairy to a Child,” and “A Visit from St. Nicholas” are especially friendly for young readers.
Which Christmas poems are good for students?
Students can read poems such as “Christmas Bells,” “The Oxen,” “A Christmas Carol,” and “Noel: Christmas Eve 1913” because they include clear themes, imagery, symbolism, rhyme, repetition, and meaningful Christmas messages.
What is a good short Christmas poem for a card?
“Christmastide” by Christina Rossetti is a strong choice for a Christmas card because it is short, warm, memorable, and centered on love. “Christmas Eve” by Rossetti is another good option for a peaceful seasonal message.
What themes appear in Christmas poems?
Common Christmas poem themes include love, giving, peace, faith, family, childhood wonder, winter beauty, hope, kindness, and the Nativity. Some poems focus on Santa and gifts, while others focus on Jesus, bells, stars, angels, and spiritual reflection.
Are Christmas poems useful for classroom reading?
Yes. Christmas poems can help students study rhyme, rhythm, imagery, symbolism, repetition, tone, and theme. Short Christmas poems are especially useful for recitation, holiday worksheets, classroom discussion, and seasonal reading practice.