30 Best Christmas Poems That Will Fill Your Hearts With Holiday Cheer

Christmas is such a special time of year filled with joy and goodwill. It's a time for Christmas pageants, singing carols, giving gifts and decorating homes. To further your festive spirit, you may also enjoy reading some Christmas poems that speak about the reason for the season or capture the essence of all the holiday cheer. We have come up with a list of the best Christmas poems for families to reflect on this season. 

Of course, if you are a child, Christmas is more about receiving gifts, eating treats and visiting Santa. So, some of the poetry on our list is just for small kids to enjoy—the rhymes are light-hearted and fun which means they will probably want to be repeated over and over.

Here are our 30 favorite Christmas poems.

Related: We've Got 25 of the Best Religious Christmas Songs—Go Tell It on the Mountain

Best Christmas Poems

1. Jesus Christ Emmanuel

Journeying to Bethlehem, a long and tiring trek
Every bed was full that night, no matter where they checked
Stable is empty, someone said, a place to lay your head
Until a baby was born in there, a manger for a bed
Someone special and holy, the angels all said

Christened Emmanuel, a name chosen by God
How noble for one born in a situation so odd
Remembered now in prayers and churches all around the world
Immortalized in stories and songs learned by every boy and girl
Sacrificed upon the cross to forgive us all our sins
The Son of God who was born for us, who died and was born again

– unknown

Related: 35 Cheery Christmas Nail Design Ideas To Get Into the Holiday Spirit

2. The First Christmas

It never snows at Christmas in that dry and dusty land.
Instead of freezing blizzards, there are palms and drifting sands,
and years ago a stable and a most unusual star
and three wise men who followed it, by camel, not by car,
while, sleepy on the quiet hills, a shepherd gave a cry.
He'd seen a crowd of angels in the silent starlit sky.
In the stable, ox and ass stood very still and calm
and gazed upon the baby, safe and snug in Mary's arms.
And Joseph, lost in shadows, face lit by an oil lamp's glow
stood wondering, that first Christmas Day, two thousand years ago.

– Marian Swinger

3. Why It Is

Though the presents are shiny and the paper is bright
And it is hard to wait through the long and cold night
To open them all the very next day
And bring out the wonderful new toys to play
It is important that we all remember
Why it is we give gifts at the end of December
Why it is we all gather and joyously sing:
To celebrate the birth of our Savior and King

– unknown

4. Christmas Bells

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

5. Celebrating Christmas

Celebration of the birth of Christ
He who is the Savior
Resting in a manger, in a bed of hay
In the light of the Christmas star shining above, showing the way
Shepherds and kings all followed the light to pay tribute to Him
To leave gifts at his feet and acknowledge their King
Mary’s son, and the Son of God
A man, too, and mortal, able to die for our sins, and so
Save us from ourselves, and grant us eternal life and light

– unknown

6. Winter Time

Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.

Before the stars have left the skies,
At morning in the dark I rise;
And shivering in my nakedness,
By the cold candle, bathe and dress.

Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.

When to go out, my nurse doth wrap
Me in my comforter and cap;
The cold wind burns my face, and blows
It's frosty pepper up my nose.

Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding cake.

– Robert Lewis Stevenson

Related: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: The Story and Trivia Behind the Beloved Classic Holiday Tale

7. Written In The Stars

Tonight, I look up at the stars in the sky
And remember another star, from days long gone by
That shone oh so brightly, to show men the way
To a small baby laid in a manger of hay

This baby was sweet, all shiny and new,
But he means so much more to me and to you
We know him as Jesus Christ or Emmanuel
And his story is one we have long loved to tell

Because it is a story of the best of man
Of mercy and sacrifice and God’s all-knowing plan
It is a story of love beyond measure
Of a Father who gave us His most precious treasure

I think of all this, as I look at the stars
I think about the love of this God of ours
And I close my eyes and cross myself, and I pray
That I will remember this love every day

– unknown

8. Music On Christmas Morning

Music I love -- but never strain
Could kindle raptures so divine,
So grief assuage, so conquer pain,
And rouse this pensive heart of mine --
As that we hear on Christmas morn,
Upon the wintry breezes borne.

Though Darkness still her empire keep,
And hours must pass, ere morning break;
From troubled dreams, or slumbers deep,
That music kindly bids us wake:
It calls us, with an angel's voice,
To wake, and worship, and rejoice;

– Anne Bront?

9. Christmas Carol

The kings they came from out the south,
All dressed in ermine fine;
They bore Him gold and chrysoprase,
And gifts of precious wine.
The shepherds came from out the north,
Their coats were brown and old;
They brought Him little new-born lambs—
They had not any gold.
The wise men came from out the east,
And they were wrapped in white;
The star that led them all the way
Did glorify the night.
The angels came from heaven high,
And they were clad with wings;
And lo, they brought a joyful song
The host of heaven sings.
The kings they knocked upon the door,
The wise men entered in,
The shepherds followed after them
To hear the song begin.
The angels sang through all the night
Until the rising sun,
But little Jesus fell asleep
Before the song was done.

– Sara Teasdale

Related: Christmas Carols

10. Mistletoe

Sitting under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
One last candle burning low,
All the sleepy dancers gone,
Just one candle burning on,
Shadows lurking everywhere:
Some one came, and kissed me there.
Tired I was; my head would go
Nodding under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
No footsteps came, no voice, but only,
Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely,
Stooped in the still and shadowy air
Lips unseen—and kissed me there.

– Walter de La Mare

11. Christ's Nativity

Awake, glad heart! get up and sing!
It is the birth-day of thy King.
Awake! awake!
The Sun doth shake
Light from his locks, and all the way
Breathing perfumes, doth spice the day.
Awake, awake! hark how th’ wood rings;
Winds whisper, and the busy springs
A concert make;
Awake! awake!
Man is their high-priest, and should rise
To offer up the sacrifice.
I would I were some bird, or star,
Flutt’ring in woods, or lifted far
Above this inn
And road of sin!
Then either star or bird should be
Shining or singing still to thee.
I would I had in my best part
Fit rooms for thee! or that my heart
Were so clean as
Thy manger was!
But I am all filth, and obscene;
Yet, if thou wilt, thou canst make clean.
Sweet Jesu! will then. Let no more
This leper haunt and soil thy door!
Cure him, ease him,
O release him!
And let once more, by mystic birth,
The Lord of life be born in earth.

– Henry Vaughan

12. In The Bleak Midwinter

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter, a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

– Christina Rossetti

13. The Oxen

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.
We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.
So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
“Come; see the oxen kneel,
“In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,”
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.

– Thomas Hardy

14. Christmas Mail

Cards in each mailbox,
angel, manger, star and lamb,
as the rural carrier,
driving the snowy roads,
hears from her bundles
the plaintive bleating of sheep,
the shuffle of sandals,
the clopping of camels.
At stop after stop,
she opens the little tin door
and places deep in the shadows
the shepherds and wise men,
the donkeys lank and weary,
the cow who chews and muses.
And from her Styrofoam cup,
white as a star and perched
on the dashboard, leading her
ever into the distance,
there is a hint of hazelnut,
and then a touch of myrrh.

– Ted Kooser

Related: Festive Front Porch Decorations for Christmas

15. God's Greatist Gift

God's greatest gift was sent to all
He was born in a lowly manger stall
The gift of Jesus to those who believe
Is a gift of love and life for all.

God's love was shown in his Son
He came that we may live as one
Our thanks and praise can not express
Our love for God that brings happiness.

So at this Christmas time rejoice
Praise the Lord with your voice
The miracle of that special birth
Shows how much God thinks you're worth.

– Catherine Pulsifier

Related: 50 of the Spookiest, Sweetest and Silliest 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Quotes

Christmas Poems For Kids

16. How The Grinch Stole Christmas

…So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow.
But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn't be so! But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?"
"It came with out ribbons! It came without tags!"
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”…

– Dr. Seuss

17. Little Pine Tree

I'm a little pine tree
As you can see,
All the other pine trees
Are bigger than me.
Maybe when I grow up
Then I'll be
A great big merry Christmas tree!

– unknown

18. Peppermint Stick

I took a lick
Of a peppermint stick
And oh it tasted yummy!

It used to be
On the Christmas tree
But now it’s in my tummy!

– unknown

19. Five Little Reindeer

Five little reindeer playing in the snow
The first one said, “Can you see my nose glow?”
The second one said, “Listen to me sing!”
The third one said, “I can hear the bells ring.”
The fourth one said, “Let’s eat the pie!”
The fifth one said, “I’m ready to fly.”
Then clomp went their hooves
And the snow fell white
As the five little reindeer flew out of sight.

– unknown

Related: Best Holiday Squishmallows

20. Magic Reindeer Food

Be sure to take this magic food
and sprinkle it on the lawn.

On Christmas Eve, Santa’s reindeers
travel miles before the dawn.

The smell of oats and glitter
will guide them on their way.

And you’ll wake up to Santa’s gifts
on merry Christmas day!

– unknown

21. Snowball

I made myself a snowball,
As perfect as could be,
I thought I’d keep it as a pet,
And let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas,
And a pillow for its head.
Then last night it ran away,
But first, it wet the bed!

– Shel Silverstein

22. Mom Is Making Christmas

Cookies baking in the kitchen,
The smell floats through the air;
Mom is making Christmas
with her usual merry flair

The house she gaily decorated,
Each gift she stitched with love,
And we’ll gather around the Christmas tree
for an evening of old-fashioned fun

This evening she’ll sing a carol for us
With her angel’s voice.
Yes, Mom is making Christmas,
A true reason to rejoice.

– Vicky A. Luong

Related: Ho Ho Holiday Knowledge: How Old Is Santa? Where Does Santa Live? All the Santa Facts You Ever Needed to Know

23. The Little Christmas Carollers

We are a band of carollers,
We march through frost and snow,
But care not for the weather
As on our way we go.
At every hall or cottage
That stands upon our way,
We stop to give the people
Best wishes for the day.
We pray a merry Christmas,
Made bright by Christmas cheer,
With peace, and hope, and gladness
And all they may hold dear.
And for all those that happen
To pass us on our way
We have a smile, and wish them
A merry Christmas-day.

– L.A. Franc

24. When Santa Claus Comes

A good time is coming, I wish it were here,
The very best time in the whole of the year;
I’m counting each day on my fingers and thumbs —
the weeks that must pass before Santa Claus comes.
Then when the first snowflakes begin to come down,
And the wind whistles sharp and the branches are brown,
I’ll not mind the cold, though my fingers it numbs,
For it brings the time nearer when Santa Claus comes.

– unknown

25. Christmas Giving

Christmas is for giving
And for showing that we care,
For honoring the Christ Child
With the loving gifts we share.
The wise men gave of riches;
The shepherds, faith and love.
Each gift, in its own measure,
Was smiled on from above.
Let every gift be treasured;
Not always size or price
Determines the extent of love
And willing sacrifice
Handsome gifts with festive trim
Bring smiles of sweet content,
But modest gifts of humble means
are ofttimes heaven sent.
Whether it be large or small,
Each gift will share in part
The message of true Christmas joy
If given from the heart!

– Iris W. Bray

26. Writing A Letter To Santa

I'm writing a letter to Santa,
To tell him I've been oh-so-good.
I've been such a sweet little angel,
And done all the things I should.

Well, maybe not quite all the things I should,
Like doing my homework after school.
And there may have a time or two,
Where I broke the Golden Rule.

There's that time I smashed the window,
'Cause I was playing ball inside.
I knew my mom would be mad,
So I ran away to hide.

I also yanked my sister's pigtails.
I pulled them so hard she cried.
I got grounded a week for that stunt,
Although a couple times I snuck outside.

Okay, maybe I haven't been perfect,
But, Santa, I swear that I've tried.
I promise if you give me a break this year,
Next year I'll get on your good side.

– Kelly Roper

Related: Best Christmas Movie Quotes

27. Waiting For Santa

I think I heard Santa ho, ho, ho.
I could have but I don't know.
Run to the window, hoping for a sleigh.
Did I just hear a reindeer neigh?
Oh Santa, it is hard to wait.
Why does the 25th have to be the date?

– Jennifer L. Betts

28. A Ride With Santa

I wish that dear old Santa
Would take me for a ride;
I'd like to drive his reindeer
And sit by Santa's side.

I'd like to help old Santa
Find all the girls and boys,
So each one might be happy
With Christmas books and toys.

Jingle, jingle, jingle,
Christmas toys we'd bring;
Jingle, jingle, jingle,
How the bells would ring!

– Ovie Pedige Tanner

29. Christmas Recipe

A pound of fun
And a pound of joy
Make a nice present
For a girl or boy.

A cup of goodness
And a cup of love
Really are gifts
From heaven above.

A pinch of holly
And a pinch of pine -
Now, we know
It's Christmas time.

– Gay Dowling

30. Getting Ready For Christmas

Oh, Christmas is a time of year
I love with all my heart;
And best of all, I think I like
The getting-ready part!

We practice carols weeks ahead
And mail some things away
I get to help sign Christmas cards
And make the house look gay

We plan a program for our church
And make some gifts at school,
The postman brings us packages -
We hide them; that's our rule.

We trim the Christmas tree, we cook,
We wrap for all we're worth;
But best of all, we read once more
Of baby Jesus'birth.

– Doris Wilder

Next up, 20 best Christmas plants for your home.