INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, Christmas is celebrated with gift-giving and parties by Christians and
non-Christians alike. However, December 25th is a religious holiday for Christians on which to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It was first celebrated in Rome in 354 a.d. It became increasingly important as a festival in the middle ages. In the 17th century the Catholic Church began to emphasize the religious importance of the day. Now the religious and secular aspects combine to make this a major holiday in much of the world.
POEM
CHRISTMAS IN THE WOODS
Nowadays, Christmas is celebrated with gift-giving and parties by Christians and
non-Christians alike. However, December 25th is a religious holiday for Christians on which to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It was first celebrated in Rome in 354 a.d. It became increasingly important as a festival in the middle ages. In the 17th century the Catholic Church began to emphasize the religious importance of the day. Now the religious and secular aspects combine to make this a major holiday in much of the world.POEM
CHRISTMAS IN THE WOODS
By Frances M. Frost
Tonight when the hoar frost falls on the wood,
And the rabbit cowers, and the squirrel is cold,
And the horned owl huddles against a star,
And the drifts are deep, and the year is old,
All shy creatures will think of Him.
The shivering mouse, the hare, the wild young fox,
The does with started fawn,
Will dream of gentleness and a Child:
The buck with budding horns will turn
His starry eyes to a silver hill tonight,
The chipmunk will awake and stir
And leave his burrow for the chill, dark midnight,
And all timid things will pause and sigh, and sighing bless
That Child who loves the trembling hearts,
The shy hearts of the wilderness.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
THE ARBUTHNOT ANTHOLOGY OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE. 1953. Fair Lawn, New Jersey: Scott, Foresman and Company.
EXTENSION
How does this poem relate to the religious aspect of Christmas? What is the poet saying about Jesus and His relation to all living creatures?
Tonight when the hoar frost falls on the wood,
And the rabbit cowers, and the squirrel is cold,
And the horned owl huddles against a star,
And the drifts are deep, and the year is old,
All shy creatures will think of Him.
The shivering mouse, the hare, the wild young fox,
The does with started fawn,
Will dream of gentleness and a Child:
The buck with budding horns will turn
His starry eyes to a silver hill tonight,
The chipmunk will awake and stir
And leave his burrow for the chill, dark midnight,
And all timid things will pause and sigh, and sighing bless
That Child who loves the trembling hearts,
The shy hearts of the wilderness.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
THE ARBUTHNOT ANTHOLOGY OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE. 1953. Fair Lawn, New Jersey: Scott, Foresman and Company.
EXTENSION
How does this poem relate to the religious aspect of Christmas? What is the poet saying about Jesus and His relation to all living creatures?
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