The following poems explore the themes of the holiday season, including Chanukah, Christmas, and New Year’s, appropriate for young people.
Read lesson plans for winter and the holidays.
“Holidays” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The holiest of all holidays are those…
“A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clark Moore
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house…
“Toward the Winter Solstice” by Timothy Steele
Although the roof is just a story high…
“Meditations on the Fall and Winter Holidays” by Charles Reznikoff
The solid houses in the mist...
“Wonder and Joy” by Robinson Jeffers
The things that one grows tired of—O, be sure...
read the lesson plan
“Taking Down the Tree” by Jane Kenyon
“Give me some light!” cries Hamlet’s…
“Elijah vs. Santa” by Richard Michelson
Weight advantage: Santa. Sugar and milk...
“The Miracle” by Philip M. Raskin
The Rabbi tells his old, old tale...
"Hanukkah Lights" by Philip M. Raskin
I kindled my eight little candles...
“Chanukah” by Marion Hartog
Down-trodden 'neath the Syrian heel...
“Chanukah Dreams” by Judith Ish-Kishor
Chanukah I think most dear...
“Blessings for Chanukah” by Jessie E. Sampter
Blessed art thou, O God our Lord...
“Christmas Carol” by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Ring out, ye bells!
“The Feast of Lights” by Emma Lazarus
Kindle the taper like the steadfast star…
“Noel: Christmas Eve 1913” by Robert Bridges
A frosty Christmas Eve...
“Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I heard the bells on Christmas Day…
“Christmas Comes Again” by Elizabeth Drew Stoddard
Let me be merry now, ’t is time…
“Christmas Eve: My Mother Dressing” by Toi Derricotte
My mother was not impressed with her beauty…
“The Savior must have been a docile Gentleman (1487)” by Emily Dickinson
The Savior must have been…
“Christmastide” by Christina Rossetti
Love came down at Christmas …
“Christmas Trees” by Robert Frost
The city had withdrawn into itself…
“The Waits” by Margaret Deland
At the break of Christmas Day....
“The Oxen” by Thomas Hardy
Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock…
“Burning the Old Year” by Naomi Shihab Nye
Letters swallow themselves in seconds...
“Noel” by Anne Porter
When snow is shaken…
“When Giving Is All We Have” by Alberto Ríos
We give because someone gave to us…
“A Christmas Carol” by Christina Rossetti
In the bleak mid-winter…
“The Passing of the Year” by Robert W. Service
My glass is filled, my pipe is lit…
“The Coming of Light” by Mark Strand
Even this late it happens…
“The Year” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
What can be said in New Year rhymes…