“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree”
“He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.” was cited in the Evening World-Herald (Omaha, NE) in a 1946 listing for the First Lutheran Church. “He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree” was cited in a California newspaper in 1954.
“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree” was cited in a 1966 book, where it was credited to Methodist preacher Dr. Roy Lemon Smith (1887-1963). Roy L. Smith is usually credited with the saying, but it is still uncertain when it was first said.
The saying has been printed on many images.
21 December 1946, Evening World-Herald (Omaha, NE), pg. 14, col. 8 ad:
“He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.”
THE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH
24 December 1950, Arkansas Democrat (Little Rock, AR), “Huntin’ & Fishin’” with Jim Owen, pg. 4B, col. 8:
Also, Santa, tell the folks the manner of givin’ is worth more than the gift, and he who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.
21 December 1953, Wilmington (DE) Morning News, “Services” pg. 4, col. 3:
It has been well said that he who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a Christmas tree.
30 November 1954, The Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet (Van Nuys, CA), “News-Graphs” by Walter Mendenhall, pg. 1, col. 1:
REMEMBER THIS!
“He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”
Google Books
Speaker’s Desk Book of Quips, Quotes, & Anecdotes
By Jacob Morton Braude
Bombay: Jaico Pub. House
1966
Pg. 83:
He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. —ROY L. SMITH
Google Books
The Joy of Christmas
By Kelly Riley Baugh
Nashville, TN: Guideposts
2005
Pg. 48:
HE WHO HAS not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. — Roy L. Smith
Google Books
A Little Book of Christmas:
An Abundance of Quotes for the Festive Season
By Alicia Brent
Published by author
2014
Pg. ?:
He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.
Roy L. Smith
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He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~ Roy L. Smith
3:02 PM - 21 Dec 2016