 | The poetical works of Lucy Larcom |  |
CHRISTMAS GREEN.
Bring in the trailing forest-moss,
Bring cedar, fir, and pine,
And green festoon, and wreath, and cross,
Around the windows twine!
Bring cedar, fir, and pine,
And green festoon, and wreath, and cross,
Around the windows twine!
Against the whiteness of the wall
Be living verdure seen,
Sweet summer memories to recall,
And keep your Christmas green.
Be living verdure seen,
Sweet summer memories to recall,
And keep your Christmas green.
It is His dear memorial-day,
Who broke Earth's frozen sleep,
And who for her hope's gladdening ray
Forever bright will keep.
Who broke Earth's frozen sleep,
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Forever bright will keep.
He gives all loveliness that grows:
The strong and graceful trees,
The winter moss, the fresh June-rose,
The dear Lord saves us these,
The strong and graceful trees,
The winter moss, the fresh June-rose,
The dear Lord saves us these,
Who saves us from the piteous wreck
Of souls adrift in sin:
So not alone the churches deck,
But peaceful homes within,—
Of souls adrift in sin:
So not alone the churches deck,
But peaceful homes within,—
Made peaceful by His constant love,—
Let thoughts of Him abide!
To find us our lost home above,
He homeless lived and died.
Let thoughts of Him abide!
To find us our lost home above,
He homeless lived and died.
And where would be the heart to smile,
Where any cheer or mirth,
If from its sin-blot, black and vile,
He could not cleanse the earth?
Where any cheer or mirth,
If from its sin-blot, black and vile,
He could not cleanse the earth?
Not for a superstition's sake,
Borne down from ages dead,
We love to see this morning break
In sunshine overhead;
Borne down from ages dead,
We love to see this morning break
In sunshine overhead;
Not as a day of heedless mirth,
A feast-day rude and wild,
We hail its dawn,—but for the birth
Of the world's dearest Child,
A feast-day rude and wild,
We hail its dawn,—but for the birth
Of the world's dearest Child,
We keep the bright home-festival;
And, with a childlike cheer,
His angel-ushered birthday call
The merriest of the year.
And, with a childlike cheer,
His angel-ushered birthday call
The merriest of the year.
Yes,—merry Christmas let it be!
A day to love and give!
Since every soul's best gift is He
Who came that we might live;
A day to love and give!
Since every soul's best gift is He
Who came that we might live;
And all things beautiful are His,
And His He maketh ours;
So bring each bud that bursting is,
All Christmas-blooming flowers;
And His He maketh ours;
So bring each bud that bursting is,
All Christmas-blooming flowers;
All blossoms that in windows shine,
With leaves to light unfurled,—
In memory of that Flower Divine
Whose fragrance fills the world!
With leaves to light unfurled,—
In memory of that Flower Divine
Whose fragrance fills the world!
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Be all old customs honored so,
That good to others mean!
Bring cross and garland from the snow,
And keep your Christmas green!
That good to others mean!
Bring cross and garland from the snow,
And keep your Christmas green!
| The poetical works of Lucy Larcom | |