The following Christmas poem entitled “Christmas Day” was written by Sarah Chauncey Woolsey (1835–1905), an American children’s author who used the name Susan Coolidge for her publications.
The poem was first published in “Young People’s New Pictorial Library of Poetry and Prose”, by the Northwestern Publishing Co., in 1888. It was also included in the book “Twilight Stories”, a collection of short children’s stories by various authors, which is believed to have been first published in 1905.
The Christmas chimes are pealing high
Beneath the solemn Christmas sky,
And blowing winds their notes prolong
Like echoes from an angel’s song;
Good will and peace, peace and good will
Ring out the carols glad and gay,
Telling the heavenly message still
That Christ the Child was born to-day.In lowly hut and palace hall
Peasant and king keep festival,
And childhood wears a fairer guise,
And tenderer shine all mother-eyes;
The aged man forgets his years,
The mirthful heart is doubly gay,
The sad are cheated of their tears,
For Christ the Lord was born to-day.
– By Susan Coolidge
