A Christmas Thought

A Christmas Thought.

by Lucy Larcom

(To be recited with carefu regard to smoothness, without a sing-song effect. )

Oh Christmas is coming again, you say,

And you long fcr the thing; he is bringing;

But the costliest gift may not gladden the day,

Nor help on the merry bells ringing

Some getting is losing, you understand,

Some hoarding is far from saving;

What you hold in your hand may slip from your hand;

There is something better than having;

We are richer for what we give;

And only by giving we live.

Your last year's presents are scattered and gone;

You have almost forgot who gave them;

But the loving thoughts you bestow live on

As long as you choose to have them.

Love, love is your riches, though ever so poor;

No money can buy that treasure;

Yours always, from robber and rust secure,

Your own, without stint or measure:

It is only love that we can give;

It is only by loving we live.

For who is it smiles through the Christmas morn --

The Light of the wide creation?

A dear little Child in a stable born,

Whose love is the world's salvation.

He was poor on earth, but He gave us all

That can make our life worth the living;

And happy the Christmas day we call

That is spent, for His sake, in giving:

He shows us the way to live,

Like Him. let us love and give!