Christmas-Days are still in store:- <br />Will they change-steal faded hither? <br />Or come fresh as heretofore, <br />Summering all our winter weather? <br /> <br />Surely they will keep their bloom <br />All the countless pacing ages: <br />In the country whence they come <br />Children only are the sages! <br /> <br />Hither, every hour and year, <br />Children come to cure our oldness- <br />Oft, alas, to gather sear <br />Unbelief, and earthy boldness! <br /> <br />Men they grow and women cold, <br />Selfish, passionate, and plaining! <br />Ever faster they grow old:- <br />On the world, ah, eld is gaining! <br /> <br />Child, whose childhood ne'er departs! <br />Jesus, with the perfect father! <br />Drive the age from parents' hearts; <br />To thy heart the children gather. <br /> <br />Send thy birth into our souls, <br />With its grand and tender story. <br />Hark! the gracious thunder rolls!- <br />News to men! to God old glory!<br /><br />George MacDonald<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/christmas-1873/
