A Christmas Blessing

During this Christmas season,

May you be blessed 

With the spirit of the season, 

which is peace,

The gladness of the season,

which is hope,

And the heart of the season,

which is love

.

Somehow, not only for Christmas

But all the long year through,

The joy that you give to others

Is the joy that comes back to you.

And the more you spend in blessing

The poor and lonely and sad,

The more of your heart's possessing

Returns to you glad.

~John Greenleaf Whittier