Featured Poem: A Song for a Christmas Tree by Louisa May Alcott

The countdown to Christmas is getting less and less with each passing hour, and hopefully by now you'll be finding the chance to unwind and sit back, looking at the glimmer of the lights upon the Christmas tree. If you still need to get the last bits done, then here's a poem to get you through the last of the preparations with festive cheer in your heart from Louisa May Alcott - perhaps Little Women is one of the classic novels you'll be reading over the holiday period?

A Song for a Christmas Tree

Cold and wintry is the sky,
Bitter winds go whistling by,
Orchard boughs are bare and dry,
Yet here stands a faithful tree.
Household fairies kind and dear,
With loving magic none need fear,
Bade it rise and blossom here,
Little friends, for you and me.

Come and gather as they fall,
Shining gifts for great and small;
Santa Claus remembers all
When he comes with goodies piled.
Corn and candy, apples red,
Sugar horses, gingerbread,
Babies who are never fed,
Are handing here for every child.

Shake the boughs and down they come,
Better fruit than peach or plum,
'T is our little harvest home;
For though frosts the flowers kill,
Though birds depart and squirrels sleep,
Though snows may gather cold and deep,
Little folks their sunshine keep,
And mother-love makes summer still.

Gathered in a smiling ring,
Lightly dance and gayly sing,
Still at heart remembering
The sweet story all should know,
Of the little Child whose birth
Has made this day throughout the earth
A festival for childish mirth,
Since the first Christmas long ago.

Louisa May Alcott