Short Christmas poems add a personal touch to your holiday cards or help your kids learn something fun about the season. Everyone celebrates Christmas differently, but a few verses about the most wonderful time of the year will bring everyone together.
Meaningful & Short Christmas Poems
From the birth of Jesus to the heart behind a thoughtful gift, these short poems get to the heart of Christmas. Add one to the tag on a gift or encourage your child to recite one for your family's holiday celebration.
Jesus Is the Reason for the Season
By Kelly Roper
Jesus is the reason for the season,
So think of him in all that you do.
The good you do to others this season,
Should be carried out all year too.
My Christmas Gift to You
By Kelly Roper
My gift to you this Christmas
Comes tied with a pretty bow.
It's not important what's inside the box,
I just love you and wanted you to know.
Santa Haiku
By Kelly Roper
Hoof sounds on the roof,
As reindeer lightly touch down.
Santa has arrived.
You're In My Heart This Christmas
By Kelly Roper
Even though this Christmas
We must spend apart,
You're still right here with me,
Because I keep you in my heart.
So picture me there beside you
Sitting by the twinkling tree,
And rest assured next Christmas
You'll truly be spending it with me.
Christmas Spirit
By Kelly Roper
The smell of pine boughs fills the air,
Pretty silver bells tinkle everywhere.
Sparkling snow covers the ground,
Christmas spirit is all around.
Church Bells
By Kelly Roper
Church bells chime on Christmas morn
In celebration that Jesus was born.
We gather together on this joyous day,
With all the faithful to give thanks and pray.
Ode to My Christmas Nutcracker
By Kelly Roper
Each year when Christmas rolls around
I get my nutcracker out.
And each time that he cracks a nut,
it makes me want to shout,
"Oh thank you Mr. Nutcracker for
Shelling my nuts for me.
Now all I need is a glass of eggnog,
and I'll eat them by my Christmas tree!"
Setting Up the Nativity
By Kelly Roper
Setting up the nativity is a holiday tradition,
And each and every figure has its own special position.
The angel sits up on the roof, and the wise men go beneath.
Joseph and Mary go in the middle, surrounded by cows and sheep.
Baby Jesus in his manger always sits right in the center,
So everyone can admire him in all his glory and splendor.
Baby's First Christmas Ornament
By Kelly Roper
It's baby's very first Christmas,
And what a joy it will be
To hang their own little ornament
On the family Christmas tree.
It's marked with the year they were born,
And it bears their own sweet name.
This ornament signifies from here on out
Our Christmases will never be the same.
Short & Sweet Christmas Poems for Seasonal Fun
Christmas is meaningful in many ways, but it's also great family fun. These poems call to mind all the parts of Christmas that bring us joy in simple and sweet ways.
Santa's Workshop
By Kelly Roper
Santa's workshop is in full swing
And the elves are making tons of toys.
They're gifts for children on Santa's "nice list,"
Filled with names of the good girls and boys.
Trains and cars and dolls and games,
So many toys there will be.
Santa himself will deliver each one,
And leave it under the Christmas tree.
Santa Claus Is Coming Tonight
By Kelly Roper
Santa Claus is coming tonight,
So hurry yourself to bed.
The Jolly Old Elf won't leave a gift,
If he sees one hair of your head!
Lights in a Tangle
By Sydney Stephens
They make Dad shout
and they make Mom cry.
These tangled lights
just make me sigh.
All I want
and all I hope to see,
are these colorful lights
wrapped 'round our tree.
Mom says decorating is hard
and Dad says it's a pain.
But who would ever want
a Christmas tree that's plain?
I know they won't give up
because they do this every year.
Those tangled lights are no match
for this family's Christmas cheer.
Mrs. Claus
By Sydney Stephens
Everyone loves Santa.
He makes the season bright.
But have you thought of Mrs. Claus,
the key to Santa's big night?
She presses his suit.
She pep-talks the deer.
Mrs. Claus keeps the show running
every day of the year.
The man with the bag
Old Saint Nick.
It's time Mrs. Claus
Got a name that would stick.
Santa's support.
His better half.
The one who makes his cocoa.
The one who makes him laugh.
I say we call her Mrs. Christmas
Or Mrs. Holiday Cheer.
Though Santa may call her Sweetheart,
or Honey, or Darling, or Dear.
Classic Short Christmas Poems
If you love a classic Christmas, you might enjoy these timeless poems from famous poets and writers. Whether they help you recall precious Christmas memories or inspire new traditions, these famous poems will help you express your love of the holiday.
- The Holy Night: Written by Elizabeth Barret Browning, this poem beautifully describes the nativity scene.
- Mistletoe: Author Walter de La Mare describes dozing off under the mistletoe and being kissed by unseen lips.
- Now the Work of Christmas Begins: Theologian and civil rights leader Howard Thurman describes the real work of Christmas, which begins after the trappings of the season are gone.
- A Christmas Carol Poem: Relating to the religious aspect of Christmas, this poem by G.K. Chesterton focuses on describing little Jesus and his mother Mary.
- Little Tree: Written by e.e. cummings, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more touching description of trimming a Christmas tree.
- Nativity, a Christmas Poem: Written by John Donne, this little poem describes Jesus from the time in his mother's womb to his birth and his parent's flight into Egypt.
Contemporary Christmas Poems
Contemporary poets also have something to say about Christmas. Even though some of these poems are quite brief, they're just the right length to add to a card or use as a holiday toast.
- Coolest Holiday Parties offers a good collection of Christmas poems that only contain a few verses. Among their offerings, "A Christmas Wish" is about collecting a lot of toys and finding needy children to give them to, while "A Song Was Heard at Christmas" describes the singing of angels at Christ's birth.
- Wish a Friend also offers a very nice collection of poems that are short but filled with sentiments of the season. Of special note are "Cheer Here and Everywhere," which speaks about the magic of Christmas, and "A Good Wish for You," which focuses on enjoying the true blessings of the holiday.
Express a Little Holiday Cheer
A brief poem or two can help you express what you feel this holiday season. Whether you need a poem for a child, something for a special loved one, or a quick poem you can share with everyone, one of these poems is sure to fit your needs and brighten your Christmas celebration.
