The Merry, Merry Christmas Time: The Joy It Brings

The Merry, Merry Christmas Time: The Joy It Brings

What are the joys that Christmas brings?
Are they the gifts of precious things

From loved ones near?

Then, should all happiness be flown
And poverty and hate unknown,

In forms so drear!

What joys dost thou, dear Christmas, bring?
What makes our hearts with gladness sing,

'Mid scenes of earth, all fair

If 'tis not love nor wealth?
Perhaps 'tis happiness of health,

That makes the heart as light as air.

Ah, no! the Christmas echoes ring
The tale of earth's benignant King,

The story of the heavy Cross,

Born to redeem the world from error,
To take from death the awful terror,

While on its angry breast we toss.

Mrs. R. W. Watkins

5:14, p. 2

1891.12.26