I  AM THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!

I am the Christmas spirit! I enter the home of poverty, causing pale faced children to open their eyes wide, in pleased wonder!

I cause the miser's clutched hand to relax, and thus paint a bright spot on his soul. I cause the aged to renew their youth and to laugh in the old, glad way!

I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood, and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic. I cause the prodigal to pause a moment on his wild, wasteful way, and send to anxious love some little token that releases glad tears - tears which wash away the hard lines of sorrow.

I enter dark prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might have been, and pointing forward to good days yet to be. I come softly into the still, white home of pain, and lips that are too weak to speak just tremble in silent, eloquent gratitude.

In a thousand ways I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God, and for a little moment forget the things that are small and wretched.

I am the Christmas spirit!   

--E.C.Baird