December

Harriet F. Blodgett

Oh! holly branch and mistletoe.

And Christmas chimes where’er we go.

And stockings pinned up in a row!

These are thy gifts, December!

And if the year has made thee old,

And silvered all thy locks of gold,

Thy heart has never been a-cold

Or known a fading ember.

III

The whole world is a Christmas tree,

And stars its many candles be.

Oh! sing a carol joyfully

The year’s great feast in keeping!

For once, on a December night

An angel held a candle bright.

And led three wise men by its light

To where a child was sleeping.