the magic of Christmas

The Christmas season is an invitation for everyone to pause and consider the deeper purpose of humanity on earth, even those who don't believe in the salvation purpose of the baby Jesus. I am awed that even those who don't believe recognize the mystery of this celebration. Even those who don't believe want to be more generous, more kind, more forgiving, better people this time of year. This is, of course, the power of the Spirit of Jesus moving in and among them, though they may not be able to give the feeling a name.

While preparing a card, I landed on these quotes about Christmas. The speakers come from all walks of faith, but each one speaks in awe of the magic, or Majesty, of Christmas. Enjoy them, both silly and serious, alongside me.  And Merry Christmas from our family to yours!


“He who has not Christmas in his heart 
will never find it under a tree.” 
 -- Roy L. Smith

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, 

and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, 

become a child again at Christmas-time.”  

-- Laura Ingalls Wilder 

The Little House in the Big Woods

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, 
and try to keep it all the year."
-- Charles Dickens

"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. 

In the eyes of children they are all 30 feet tall." 

-- Larry Wilde

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! 
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. 
What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!" 
-- Dr. Seuss
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

"Christmas is a necessity. 

There has to be at least one day of the year 

to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves."

--Eric Sevareid

"Christmas is not as much about opening our presents, as opening our hearts." 
-- Janice Maeditere

"Mankind is a great, an immense family. 

This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas."

-- Pope John XXIII

"Christmas is not a time or season, but a state of mind. 

To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, 

is to have the real spirit of Christmas."

-- Calvin Coolidge

"The earth has grown old with its burden of care, 
but at Christmas it is always young..."
-- Phillips Brooks

“One of the most glorious messes in the world is 

the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. 

Don't clean it up too quickly."  

-- Andy Rooney

"Who can add to Christmas? 

The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. 

The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. 

The only requirement is to believe in Him. 

The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life."

-- Corrie Ten Boom