Christmas is more than decorations and gifts; it’s a season brimming with warmth, wonder, and nostalgia.
Through poetry, we can capture the heart of this season—its quiet joys, its magical moments, and the spirit of togetherness that defines it.
Here are 10 heartwarming poems about christmas that will stir up memories, rekindle joy, and spread that comforting holiday glow to everyone around you.
Let’s jump right in!
My favorite poem about christmas
#1 “Carol” by William Canton
When the herds were watching
In the midnight chill,
Came a spotless lambkin
From the heavenly hill.
Snow was on the mountains,
And the wind was cold,
When from God’s own garden
Dropped a rose of gold.
When ’twas bitter winter,
Houseless and forlorn
In a star-lit stable
Christ the Babe was born.
Welcome, heavenly lambkin,
Welcome, golden rose;
Alleluia, Baby
In the swaddling clothes!
“Carol” by William Canton stands out as my top choice for a collection of Christmas poems, mainly because the vivid imagery and heartfelt themes encapsulate the essence of the season.
The poem transports me to a serene midnight, where a spotless lambkin symbolizes hope and purity, echoing the true spirit of Christmas.
9 more poems about christmas
#2 “A Christmas Carol” by Robert Herrick
What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol, for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?
Awake the voice; awake the string!
Heart, ear, and eye, and everything!
#3 “Christmas, 1884” by George MacDonald
Though in my heart no Christmas glee,
Though my song-bird be dumb,
Jesus, it is enough for me
That thou art come.
What though the loved be scattered far,
Few at the board appear,
In thee, O Lord, they gathered are,
And thou art here.
And if our hearts be low with lack,
They are not therefore numb;
Not always will thy day come back–
Thyself will come!
#4 “Christmas” by H. P. Nichols
“Little children, when rejoicing
In the merry Christmas morn,
‘Mid your sports remember ever
‘Tis the day that Christ was born.
“When on earth, the blessed Saviour
Said, ‘Let children come to me,’
And the little ones he folded
In his arms, how tenderly!”
“But the Saviour is in heaven,
And we cannot see him now;
We cannot receive his blessing,
In his presence cannot bow.”
“Listen. In the holy Bible,
Jesus Christ tells every child
That the way to gain his blessing
Is by being good and mild.”
“Here on earth you may not see him;
But when this short life is done,
You shall live with him forever
Where there is no setting sun.”
“So remember, Christmas morning,
That on earth the Saviour came;
And that still he guards and blesses
Every child who loves his name.”
#5 “Christmastide” by Christina Rossetti
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead,
Love Incarnate, Love Divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.
#6 “The Waits” by Margaret Deland
At the break of Christmas Day,
Through the frosty starlight ringing,
Faint and sweet and far away,
Comes the sound of children, singing,
Chanting, singing,
“Cease to mourn,
For Christ is born,
Peace and joy to all men bringing!”
Careless that the chill winds blow,
Growing stronger, sweeter, clearer,
Noiseless footfalls in the snow,
Bring the happy voices nearer;
Hear them singing,
“Winter’s drear,
But Christ is here,
Mirth and gladness with Him bringing.”
“Merry Christmas!” hear them say,
As the East is growing lighter;
“May the joy of Christmas Day
Make your whole year gladder, brighter!”
Join their singing,
“To each home
Our Christ has come,
All Love’s treasures with Him bringing!”
#7 “Song” by Eugene Field
Why do the bells of Christmas ring?
Why do little children sing?
Once a lovely shining star,
Seen by shepherds from afar,
Gently moved until its light
Made a manger’s cradle bright.
There a darling baby lay,
Pillowed soft upon the hay;
And its mother sung and smiled:
“This is Christ, the holy Child!”
Therefore bells for Christmas ring,
Therefore little children sing.
#8 “Christmas Greeting” by James Whitcomb Riley
A word of Godspeed and good cheer
To all on earth, or far or near,
Or friend or foe, or thine or mine –
In echo of the voice divine,
Heard when the star bloomed forth and lit
The world’s face, with God’s smile on it.
#9 “Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
#10 “The Angels” by William Drummond
Run, shepherds, run, where Bethlehem blest appears,
We bring the best of news; be not dismayed;
A Saviour there is born more old than years,
Amidst heaven’s rolling height this earth who stayed.
In a poor cottage inned, a virgin maid
A weakling did Him bear, who all upbears;
There is He poorly swaddled, in manger laid,
To whom too narrow swaddlings are our spheres:
Run, shepherds, run, and solemnize His birth.
This is that night—no, day, grown great with bliss,
In which the power of Satan broken is:
In heaven be glory, peace unto the earth!
Thus singing, through the air the angels swam,
And cope of stars re-echoèd the same.