The End Of The Play
The play is done; the curtain drops,
Slow falling to the prompter's bell:
A moment yet the actor stops,
And looks around, to say farewell.
It is an irksome word and task;
And, when he's laughed and said his say,
He shows, as he removes the mask,
A face that's anything but gay.
One word, ere yet the evening ends,
Let's close it with a parting rhyme,
And pledge a hand to all young friends,
As fits the merry Christmas time.
On life's wide scene you, too, have parts,
That Fate ere long shall bid you play;
Good night! with honest gentle hearts
A kindly greeting go alway!
Goodnight—I'd say, the griefs, the joys,
Just hinted in this mimic page,
The triumphs and defeats of boys,
Are but repeated in our age.
I'd say, your woes were not less keen,
Your hopes more vain than those of men;
Your pangs or pleasures of fifteen
At forty-five played o'er again.
I'd say, we suffer and we strive,
Not less nor more as men, than boys;
With grizzled beards at forty-five,
As erst at twelve in corduroys.
And if, in time of sacred youth,
We learned at home to love and pray,
Pray Heaven that early Love and Truth
May never wholly pass away.
And in the world, as in the school,
I'd say, how fate may change and shift;
The prize be sometimes with the fool,
The race not always to the swift.
The strong may yield, the good may fall,
The great man be a vulgar clown,
The knave be lifted over all,
The kind cast pitilessly down.
Who knows the inscrutable design?
Blessed be He who took and gave!
Why should your mother, Charles, not mine,
Be weeping at her darling's grave?
*
We bow to Heaven that will'd it so,
That darkly rules the fate of all,
That sends the respite or the blow,
That's free to give, or to recall.
This crowns his feast with wine and wit:
Who brought him to that mirth and state?
His betters, see, below him sit,
Or hunger hopeless at the gate.
Who bade the mud from Dives' wheel
To spurn the rags of Lazarus?
Come, brother, in that dust we'll kneel,
Confessing Heaven that ruled it thus.
So each shall mourn, in life's advance,
Dear hopes, dear friends, untimely killed;
Shall grieve for many a forfeit chance,
And longing passion unfulfilled.
Amen! whatever fate be sent,
Pray God the heart may kindly glow,
Although the head with cares be bent,
And whitened with the winter snow.
Come wealth or want, come good or ill,
Let young and old accept their part,
And bow before the Awful Will,
And bear it with an honest heart,
Who misses or who wins the prize.
Go, lose or conquer as you can;
But if you fail, or if you rise,
Be each, pray God, a gentleman.
A gentleman, or old or young!
(Bear kindly with my humble lays);
The sacred chorus first was sung
Upon the first of Christmas days:
The shepherds heard it overhead—
The joyful angels raised it then:
Glory to Heaven on high, it said,
And peace on earth to gentle men.
My song, save this, is little worth;
I lay the weary pen aside,
And wish you health, and love, and mirth,
As fits the solemn Christmas-tide.
As fits the holy Christmas birth,
Be this, good friends, our carol still—
Be peace on earth, be peace on earth,
To men of gentle will.
poem by William Makepeace Thackeray
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A Christmas Fancy
Early on Christmas Day,
Love, as awake I lay,
And heard the Christmas bells ring sweet and clearly,
My heart stole through the gloom
Into your silent room,
And whispered to your heart, `I love you dearly.'
There, in the dark profound,
Your heart was sleeping sound,
And dreaming some fair dream of summer weather.
At my heart's word it woke,
And, ere the morning broke,
They sang a Christmas carol both together.
Glory to God on high!
Stars of the morning sky,
Sing as ye sang upon the first creation,
When all the Sons of God
Shouted for joy abroad,
And earth was laid upon a sure foundation.
Glory to God again!
Peace and goodwill to men,
And kindly feeling all the wide world over,
Where friends with joy and mirth
Meet round the Christmas hearth,
Or dreams of home the solitary rover.
Glory to God! True hearts,
Lo, now the dark departs,
And morning on the snow-clad hills grows grey.
Oh, may love's dawning light
Kindled from loveless night,
Shine more and more unto the perfect day!
poem by Robert Fuller Murray
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I will be spending Christmas in Heaven
I will be spending Christmas in Heaven this year where the clouds will be my snow, the stars will be my Christmas Lights and the present that I will receive is the gift of peace surrounding my soul.
Be merry and jolly for me as I will be for you please don’t dropp a tear, don’t let your heart be trouble heaven is a wonderful place to spend Christmas.
I will be spending Christmas in Heaven playing with the angels from above looking down at you. From time to time on Christmas day I will be in your kitchen making sure that you have time too pray.
poem by Kimbaline Navas
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A Colloquy: (For M. W.)
'When you get to Heaven, seek and find my boy.
Mother him!' 'Until you come?' 'I shall never come.
Earth was good enough for me who had all my joy
In my Love, my Light of home.
'But to him be given, in overflowing measure,
All the joys your Heaven can give if your God be just!
He, my boy slain in his youth to serve some mad king's pleasure
And his dreams and hopes in dust.'
'How shall I know him where so many boys are?
Multitudes and multitudes ever they increase.'
'Oh, my boy is young and tall, with bird-russet hair
And quiet eyes of peace.
'He who was killed in a quarrel not his own!
All his days he had good-will to his fellow-men.
Oh, your God is kind and just, shall He not atone
And the dark ways be made plain?
'Seek my son and find him, so he shall not miss
Me, his mother-comrade, through his length of days.'
'Oh, but he would turn from a strange woman's kiss
And ask where his mother delays.
'So be up and going for the way's not long!
God who kissed His Mother dear, a Babe in Nazareth,
Knows how they need mother-love, the dear and precious young,
In the new Life where is no Death.'
poem by Katharine Tynan
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Santa's List
Come rest you weary gentlemen
let nothing you dismay.
lay down your swords and fight no more
for the sake of Christmas Day
A saviour came down to this earth
to show us everyone
how to live in harmony
together under the sun
Beyond the dark horizon
Lies a far more bountiful land
Void of all starvation
For every woman and man.
so reach out from the wilderness
and pray to heaven above
a future lies in wait for us
a world united in love
We don't need a merry Christmas
we don't need a Happy New Year
the only wish on Santa's list
is that one day there will be
peace on this earth
Through the valleys
over the hills
church bells echo their sound
whispers travelling through the trees
over the snow covered ground
spread the message far and wide
so every one can hear
home fires glow on angel wings
and banishes every tear
We don't need a merry Christmas
we don't need a Happy New Year
the only wish on Santa's list
is that one day there will be
peace on this earth
Grant us .. one wish
no more .. pain or sorrow
hear us .. help us
build a new tommorrow
So reach out from the wilderness
and pray to heaven above
a future lies in wait for us
a world united in love
We don't need a merry Christmas
we don't need a Happy New Year
the only wish on Santa's list
is that one day there will be
No more tears or pain at Christmas
no more children living in fear
the only wish on Santa's list
is that one day there will be
one day there will be
one day there will be
peace on this earth
Grant us .. our wish this Christmas
song performed by by Cliff Richard
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Oh Christmas Night Oh Christmas Night
Oh Christmas night oh Christmas night
So quiet all and splendor
We celebrate Christ birth and might
With candle lights so tender
For on this night is born a king
The king of peace on earth
We glorify and humbly sing
About this child and holy birth
Oh Christmas night oh Christmas night
When night's around and dark
We find his love's a guiding light
And see his angels hark
We hope this time peace will bring
And guide our footsteps all
For he's the forth of everything
The protector of big and small
Oh Christmas night oh Christmas night
The spirits of love and greeting
When each love will burn on so bright
With kindness and good treating
We hope one day peace will arrive
For every life that's living
We must therefore still on strive
Remembering what Christmas is giving
poem by Peter S. Quinn
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Something About Christmas
There is something about Christmas,
In Santa Claus and twinkling trees,
In the joy and laughter of every child,
People kneeling in prayer on arthritic knees.
There is something about Christmas,
Though many wishes and dreams may fail.
It is something we have learned to accept
Through each Yuletide trail.
There is something about Christmas,
Something that overwhelms the heart,
And it is displayed in every household
Of thoughtful and gentle people miles apart.
There is something about Christmas,
A magnificent day for old and young,
For it seems that people are more pleasant
When the traditional carols are sung.
There is something about Christmas,
A day of grace and visions of peace
And nothing on earth can destroy it.
Joy and peace on earth will never cease.
There is something about Christmas
When church bells ring and candles glow,
Signaling that Christ was born in a manger
In the holy city of Bethlehem - years ago.
poem by Joseph T. Renaldi
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Your (pbuy) Love's Miracles
The space is full of small droplets, delicate
But all of the don't have the same fate,
Only those the colors of the rainbow create
Who are blessed with your love, peace be upon you!
O Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon you!
Countless flowers smile in parks and valleys
Not for months and years but some dailies
Only those give forth sweet smell in rallies
Who want to see you, peace be upon you!
O Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon you!
A large variety of herbs spreads on the ground
Some with ease and some with hardship found
Only those for good health are the most sound
That want to kiss your feet, peace be upon you!
O Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon you!
Numberless particles lie down on earth's face
Humility stays with them in close, fast embrace
Only those shine with marvelous, high grace
Who wait for you, o dear peace be upon you!
O Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon you!
Countless oysters live in the lap of ocean
Pearls are not found in the same proportion
But in those who have your love's passion
Are blessed with pearls, peace be upon you!
O Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon you!
Countless stars roam about in endless heaven
All the time, in all seasons, round the days seven
But only those flames dark night does enliven
That pray for you o dear, peace be upon you!
O Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon you!
Homeless clouds float in the sea of sky
Some crawl low some move on high
Only those quench the thirst of earth dry
That saturate with your love, peace be upon you!
O Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon you!
Countless breaths come to us and depart
With them moves ahead life's slow cart
But only those give life to the beating heart
That are filled with your love, peace be upon you!
O Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon you!
Endless tears trickle down the walls of eyes
Along with repeated sobs and fast sighs
But only that to the high heaven flies
That is shed in your love, peace be upon you!
O Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon you!
May we also become fortunate Amen!
May we also get your love's charming sheen!
May we get a glance of your kindness keen!
Life and death in your love, peace be upon you!
O Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon you!
poem by Prof Niamat Ali Murtazai
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Peace for Christmas
All I want for Christmas is Peace
All I want is war to cease
In the homes and on the street
Peace on earth and joy to greet
Underneath my Christmas tree
Christmas morn I hope to see
Headlines blaring PEACE ON EARTH!
For men of naught and men of worth
Wrap peace up in shiny foil
Seal it tight so it won't spoil
Put it on a freezer shelf
Keep it fresh, our future wealth
Take it out at dinner time
Share a slice of peace of mind
Pass it out to all our Brothers
Sisters, Children and our Mothers
Use the peace meal, use it wisely
Digest it well and let our eyes see
Peace on earth, good will to men
Need not wait until the end
In our homes on Christmas Day
Preach of Peace as only way
To be happy, to be sure
To meet Peace at Heaven's door
poem by Kenneth Snow
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Christmas, His Masque (extract)
Why Gentlemen, doe you know what you doe? ha!
Would you ha'kept me out? Christmas, old Christmas?
Christmas of London, and Captaine Christmas?
Pray you let me be brought before my Lord Chamberlaine, i'le not be answer'd else:
'Tis merrie in hall when beards wag all:
I ha'seene the time you ha'wish'd for me, for a merry Christmas,
And now you ha'me; they would not let me in:
I must come another time!
A good jest, as if I could come more than once a year;
Why, I am no dangerous person, and so I told my friends, o'the Guard.
I am old Gregorie Christmas still
poem by Ben Jonson
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It's Time For Christmas
The star, has previewed up in the sky
It was the night of a new born child
The birth of a better world
Since this holy night
We are all celebrating Christmas
It's time for Christmas, we singing for the world
Let's live together, in harmony
It's time for Christmas, it's time to heal the world
Let's come together, it's Christmas time
Christmas
You will find your way home, together with friends who will never alone
Christmas
In all these wonderful places, different colors and different races
Peace
In the silent night, no more pain lets stop the fight
Heaven
Like a place on earth, it's Christmas time its Jesus birth
Freedom
For the human race, to make the children's world a better place
Freedom
For me and for you, heal the world and make a wish come true
Peace
It's our love supreme, for now and forever what a wonderful dream
Love
Makes the world go around, from the highest mountain to the deeground
It's time for Christmas, we singing for the world
Let's live together, in harmony
It's time for Christmas, it's time to heal the world
Let's come together, it's Christmas time
It's time for Christmas
song performed by by DJ Bobo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Thank God Its Christmas
Words and music by brian may and roger taylor
Oh my love weve had our share of tears
Oh my friend weve had our hopes and fears
Oh my friends its been a long hard year
But now its christmas
Yes its christmas
Thank God its christmas
The moon and stars seem awful cold and bright
Lets hope the snow will make this christmas right
My friend the world will share this special night
Because its christmas
Yes its christmas
Thank God its christmas
For one night
Thank God its christmas yeah
Thank God its christmas
Thank God its christmas
Can it be christmas?
Let it be christmas
Evry day
Oh my love weve lived in troubled days
Oh my friend we have the strangest ways
All my friends on this one day of days
Thank God its christmas
Yes its christmas
Thank God its christmas
For one day
Thank God its christmas
Yes its christmas
Thank God its christmas
Oooh yeah
Thank God its christmas
Yes yes yes yes its christmas
Thank God its christmas
For one day
A very merry christmas to you all
song performed by by Queen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Christmas 2010
Christmas is the time that tells
That God was born a baby boy;
And He was called ‘Emmanuel’
(‘God with us’) , and brought us joy!
Christmas is the time that tells
That love of God was born on earth,
Becoming flesh in virgin’s womb,
Proclaiming the ‘King of Kings’ birth!
Christmas is the time that tells
That Word that was God became man,
And dwelt amongst us for some years,
And suffer in all ways, He can.
Christmas is the time that tells
That peace returned to heart and soul,
And brought back hope to sinners too,
Who aim toward a heavenly goal.
Christmas is the time that tells
That prophecy of birth of Christ
In Scriptures came to be fulfilled,
As angel choirs sang in Highest.
Christmas is the time that tells
That God chose poverty at birth,
To know how tough life on earth is,
And showed how woes can become mirth.
Christmas is the time that tells
That Christ was born to save mankind
From sins of present, future, past,
And peace came back to heart and mind.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 07-12-2010
poem by John Celes
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The Meaning of Christmas
The greatest gift of God to man is Christ!
The love for creature man that God displayed;
Born in a manger of Virgin Mary,
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
To redeem mankind from the wages of sin,
So that, ev’n sinners can go to Heaven.
The birth of baby Jesus is Christmas.
Heaven and earth rejoiced when he arrived;
“He would be named Emmanuel! ” said God.
And grow up wise with knowledge of scriptures;
And suffer for no sin or faults of his;
But die by crucifixion at young age,
Resurrect on third day, defeating death!
His sacred blood-shed wipes out any sin;
All sins confessed are forgiven by God;
He would die for all mankind, present, past;
He brought both peace and joy to life on earth;
He was a Prophet, miracle-worker;
He was God’s son in whom God was well pleased!
Christmas gave new hope to human beings;
God could forgive all mortal sins of man;
Hell was for devils; not for every man;
All those who repented would see God’s face;
Jesus was Messiah, God’s begotten son;
God so loved the world, He gave his one son!
Christmas is in giving;
Christmas is in sharing;
Christmas is in loving;
Christmas is in caring;
Christmas is in humbling;
Christmas is in suffering
For others, for Christ’s sake!
Christmas is in repenting;
Christmas is in praying;
Christmas is in forgiving;
Christmas is in keeping
Our souls sinless and pure;
Christmas is in bringing
Back Christ into our hearts!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-7-2006
poem by John Celes
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Christmas Naught Nine
The mighty God unseen,
Came down to earth in flesh
As man, to become seen
By men of world, selfish!
The Son of God was Christ,
Who was God Himself first;
He came to earth to show
God’s love profound, bestow.
The God of heavens lived
A humble life on earth;
He experienced and strived
To know man’s woes since birth.
Oh, what a lovely God!
He keeps His every word;
He cares for everyone
He made, under the Sun!
Oh, Son of God, Jesus!
You brought with You great joy,
And special hope and peace,
For mankind to enjoy!
Oh, welcome ‘King of kings’,
There’s joy amongst earthlings;
For heaven came to earth,
Through ‘Emmanuel’ Christ’s birth!
And Christmas is just this;
The world received God’s bliss;
Through His one Son Jesus,
Who took away sin’s curse!
Now, heaven is so nigh
To men on earth who die;
By living righteously,
They gain Eternity.
‘Merry Christmas, ’09! ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 12-25-2009
poem by John Celes
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A Christmas Prayer
Dear Lord in the heavens above
please hear my prayer today.
On the day of the birth of your son Jesus Christ.
Could you guide the men of war
from every religion to take a respite from killing,
let us have one day of the year
when no one will shed the blood of another.
Will you send your millions of angels
to see that this is done,
so that no one will hear the sound of a gun?
Let there be peace everywhere on this earth I pray.
That we may wake up and celebrate Christmas
in the knowledge no one will die.
I also ask that those with good hearts
share what they have
with those who have nothing.
Those with no shelter
may they find somewhere that is warm.
May the love of the many
help take away the sadness
of those who are suffering.
Dear Lord I offer up to you this Christmas prayer
on the Sunday before Christmas day.
Amen
23 December 2007
poem by David Harris
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Christmas 2007
Christmas, full of joy, happiness, and love;
Surrounded by families, friends, and loved ones;
Yet, this christmas is far too lonely.
Never have I spent a christmas with heartache,
Sorrow, and tears before.
I've tried to prevent that from happening,
But i've failed.
Once again, i've let my emotions take over,
Couldn't bear the fact i'm lonely, and careless;
These friends i've got do no good,
Old lovers' memories play in my head,
What more could I have possibly done to keep the love going on?
When the other side didn't want to carry on what we had,
But i'm careless, insulting, and bruising now,
There's no such meaning to love as how it used to be long time ago,
Which makes christmas hopeless,
But for others, its joyful and bright.
And this is how I've spent christmas in 2007,
Tear drops from heartache of a lover to be,
But had to fall apart,
Away from family and friends,
I'll never forget this dead christmas.
poem by Petra Tawfik
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Early Adieux
Adieu to kindred hearts and home,
To pleasure, joy, and mirth,
A fitter foot than mine to roam
Could scarcely tread the earth ;
For they are now so few indeed
(Not more than three in all),
Who e'er will think of me or heed
What fate may me befall.
For I through pleasure's paths have run
My headlong goal to win,
Nor pleasure's snares have cared to shun
When pleasure sweetened sin.
Let those who will their failings mask,
To mine I frankly own ;
But for them pardon will I ask
Of none—save Heaven alone.
From carping friends I turn aside ;
At foes defiance frown ;
Yet time may tame my stubborn pride,
And break my spirit down.
Still, if to error I incline,
Truth whispers comfort strong,
That never reckless act of mine
E'er worked a comrade wrong.
My mother is a stately dame,
Who oft would chide with me ;
She saith my riot bringeth shame,
And stains my pedigree.
I'd reck not what my friends might know,
Or what the world might say,
Did I but think some tears would flow
When I am far away.
Perchance my mother will recall
My mem'ry with a sigh ;
My gentle sister's tears may fall,
And dim her laughing eye ;
Perhaps a loving thought may gleam,
And fringe its saddened ray,
When, like a nightmare's troubled dream,
I, outcast, pass away.
Then once again farewell to those
Who e'er for me have sighed ;
For pleasures melt away like snows,
And hopes like shadows glide.
Adieu, my mother ! if no more
Thy son's face thou may'st see,
At least those many cares are o'er
So ofttimes caused by me.
My lot is fixed ! The die is cast !
For me home hath no joy !
Oh, pardon then all follies past,
And bless your wayward boy !
And thou, from whom for aye to part
Grieves more than tongue can tell,
May Heaven preserve thy guileless heart !
Sweet sister, fare thee well !
Thou, too, whose loving-kindness makes
My resolution less,
While from the bitter past it takes
One half its bitterness,
If e'er you held my mem'ry dear,
Grant this request, I pray—
Give to that mem'ry one bright tear,
And let it pass away.
poem by Adam Lindsay Gordon
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The Last Of May
By fate's benevolent award,
Should I survive the day,
I'll drink a bumper with my lord
Upon the last of May.
That I may reach that happy time
The kindly gods I pray,
For are not ducks and pease in prime
Upon the last of May?
At thirty boards, 'twixt now and then,
My knife and fork shall play;
But better wine and better men
I shall not meet in May.
And though, good friend, with whom I dine,
Your honest head is gray,
And, like this grizzled head of mine,
Has seen its last of May;
Yet, with a heart that's ever kind,
A gentle spirit gay,
You've spring perennial in your mind,
And round you make a May!
poem by William Makepeace Thackeray
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The Last Of May
By fate's benevolent award,
Should I survive the day,
I'll drink a bumper with my lord
Upon the last of May.
That I may reach that happy time
The kindly gods I pray,
For are not ducks and pease in prime
Upon the last of May?
At thirty boards, 'twixt now and then,
My knife and fork shall play;
But better wine and better men
I shall not meet in May.
And though, good friend, with whom I dine,
Your honest head is gray,
And, like this grizzled head of mine,
Has seen its last of May;
Yet, with a heart that's ever kind,
A gentle spirit gay,
You've spring perennial in your mind,
And round you make a May!
poem by William Makepeace Thackeray
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Loves In Our Hearts On Christmas Day
I know great distance still remains..
Between us
But theres good reason to hold on
Its the happiest time of the year
Filled with laughter and good cheer
As you watch the snow
Sweet love youll hear me say
Youve got my heart on christmas
Inside my soul your love remains
Loves in our hearts
On christmas day
The days and weeks and months go by
So slowly
We are both wishing them to fly (*wishing in the fly*)
As the night begins to fall
Twilight crowns the bedroom cheer (*drowns in mellow cheer*)
Such a rush of joy
Your love, it comforts me
And I do believe
Loves in our hearts on christmas
Though far apart
As one we pray
Loves in our hearts
On christmas day
Snowflake melts in your eye and turns to tear
But you cheek it stays dry
With your warm smile so near
I have no fear
Were gonna make it
Loves in our hearts on christmas
Though far apart
As one we pray
Loves in our hearts (love is in our hearts)
On christmas day...
song performed by by N Sync
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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