“It isn’t the holly, it isn’t the snow. It isn’t the tree nor the firelight’s glow” (Christmas poem)
American poet Angela Morgan (1875-1957) published the poem “The Christmas Miracle” in Collier’s for Christmas (a weekly magazine based in New York City) on December 14, 1912. Part of the poem reads:
“Oh, it isn’t the holly, it isn’t the snow,
It isn’t the tree or the firelight glow;
It’s the flame that goes from the hearts of men
When Christmas love is abroad again.”
The poem has received popularity since at least 1949 in this form:
“Until one feels the spirit of Christmas—there is no Christmas. All else is outward display—so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn’t the holly, it isn’t the snow. It isn’t the tree nor the firelight’s glow. It’s the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again.”
Wikipedia: Angela Morgan
Angela Morgan (circa 1875 - January 24, 1957) was an American poet. Her given name at birth was Nina Lillian, which she later changed to Angela.
Google Books
14 December 1912, Collier’s for Christmas (weekly magazine), pg. 29:
The Christmas Miracle
BY ANGELA MORGAN
Chronicling America
26 December 1913, Forest City (SD) Press, pg. 2, col. 2:
THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE.
BY ANGELA MORGAN, IN COLLIER’S.
Google Books
The Hour Has Struck (A War Poem) and Other Poems
By Angela Morgan
New York, NY: Eugene C. Lewis Co.
1915
Pp. 62-64:
THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
(...)
Oh, it isn’t the holly, it isn’t the snow,
It isn’t the tree or the firelight glow;
It’s the flame that goes from the hearts of men
When Christmas love is abroad again.
‘Tis the laughter of children, quivering high
In a shower of radiance to the sky.
For wishes are real and love is a force
And the torch which ages ago had source
In the star that lighted the wise men’s way
Burns with a musical fire to-day.
19 December 1926, The State (Columbia, SC), pg. 24, col. 4:
Oh, it isn’t the holly, it isn’t the snow,
It isn’t the tree or the firelight glow;
It’s the flame that goes from the hearts of men
When Christmas love is abroad again.
It is the laughter of children quivering high
In a shower of radiance to the sky.
For wishes are real and love is a force
And the torch which ages ago had source
In the star that lighted the wise men’s way
Burns with a musical fire today.
—Angela Morgan.
22 December 1949, Alto (IA) Democrat, “Don Cunningham Says,” pg. 8, col. 2:
Then there is an excerpt that is anonymous:
Christmas Treasure
Until one feels the spirit of Christmas—there is no Christmas. All else is outward display—so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn’t the holly, it isn’t the snow. It isn’t the tree nor the firelight’s glow. It’s the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again.
Google Books
Sleigh Bells Ring
By Linda Nelson Stocks
Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing
2006
Pg. ?:
Until one feels the spirit of Christmas—
there is no Christmas.
All else is outward display—
so much tinsel and decorations.
For it isn’t the holly,
it isn’t the snow.
It isn’t the tree
nor the firelight’s glow.
It’s the warmth that comes to the hearts of men
when the Christmas spirit returns again.
ANONYMOUS
Twitter
イジー Izzy
@take_it_izzy
It isn’t the holly, the snow, the tree, not the firelight’s glow. It’s the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when it returns again. ~NN
10:58 AM - 23 Dec 2010
Google Books
The Book of Christmas Hope
By Reed Markham
Lulu Publishing (Lulu.com)
2011
Pg. 105:
Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else is outward display—so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn’t the holly, it isn’t the snow. It isn’t the tree nor the firelight’s glow. It’s the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again. ~Anonymous
Twitter
student
@meshalalfisal
For it isn’t the holly, it isn’t the snow. It isn’t the tree not the firelight’s glow. It’s the warmth that comes to the hea.
9:32 AM - 12 Aug 2016