They give their all, this Christmastide, that peace on earth shall reign; <br />Upon the snows of Flanders now, brave blood has left its stain; <br />With ribbons red we deck our gifts; theirs bear the red of pain. <br /> <br />They give their lives that joy shall live and little children play; <br />They pass that all that makes for peace shall not be swept away; <br />They die that children yet unborn shall have their Christmas Day. <br /> <br />Come! deck the home with holly wreaths and make this Christmas glow, <br />And let Old Glory wave above the bough of mistletoe! <br />Come! keep alive the faith of them who sleep 'neath Flanders snow. <br /> <br />Ye brave of heart who dwell at home, make merry now a-while; <br />The world has need of Christmas cheer its sorrows to beguile; <br />And blest is he whose love can light grief's corners with a smile. <br /> <br />Ring out once more, sweet Christmas bells, your message to the sky, <br />Proclaim in golden tones again to every passer-by <br />That peace shall rule the lands of earth, and only war shall die. <br /> <br />Let love's sweet tenderness relieve war's cruel crimson clutch, <br />Send forth the Christmas spirit, every troubled heart to touch; <br />Blest will be all we do for them who do for us so much.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/christmas-1918/
