41 Best Christmas Poems That Rhyme
With the Christmas season not far ahead, I gathered a list the best Christmas rhyming poems to put together here, all one place.
This list includes a variety of poems that are suitable for all ages. Some of the poems have even been made into popular Christmas carols.
Other rhyming poems I’ve included and broken into categories are ones for kids, funny Christmas poems, and classic and religious poems.
Additionally, I included some short poems because they would be great for adding a message to a Christmas card.
A great way to use these is to start a family tradition of reading one of the poems each night leading up to Christmas.
The Best Christmas Poems that Rhyme
I’ve set these up so you can print them to make it easier.
Or there is also this list of ideas for making your own Christmas cards –you’ll undoubtedly want to add a special message to a handmade card.
Funny Christmas Rhyming Poems
Here’s a list of humorous poems that will certainly bring some holiday cheer.
Christmas is Coming
— Author Unknown
Christmas is coming,
The geese are getting fat,
Please put a penny
In the old man’s hat.
If you haven’t got a penny,
A ha’penny will do,
If you haven’t got a ha’penny,
Then God bless you.
Christmas is coming,
The geese are getting fat,
Please put a penny
In the old man’s hat.
If you haven’t got a penny,
A ha’penny will do,
If you haven’t got a ha’penny,
Then God bless you.
Santa Won’t Tell
— Author Unknown
‘Tis the week before Christmas and every night
As soon as the children are snuggled up tight
And have sleepily murmured their wishes and prayers, Such fun as goes on in the parlor downstairs!
For father, big brother, and grandfather too,
Start in with great vigour their youth to renew.
The grown-ups are having great fun —all is well; And they play till it’s long past their hour for bed.
They try to solve puzzles and each one enjoys The magical thrill of mechanical toys,
Even mother must play with a doll that can talk, And if you assist it, it’s able to walk.
It’s really no matter if paint may be scratched,
Or a cogwheel, a nut, or a bolt gets detached;
The grown-ups are having great fun —all is well; The children don’t know it, and Santa won’t tell.
The Funniest Face
— Anonymous
The funniest face looked out at me From a silver ball
On the Christmas tree!
At first I thought
It was Santa’s elf,
But I looked again and It was just myself!
By the way, we have 31 free printable holiday cards that are perfect for adding rhyming poems, on our sister site.
Santa’s Special Gift
— Author Unknown
Santa’s got a special gift
He’s bringing just for you.
Just a little something extra,
And it comes from Rudolph, too!
He knows that you’ve been naughty Instead of being nice.
Again you’re on the bad list,
And he’s checked it over twice.
Santa hopes this little poem Doesn’t throw you for a loop. All you’re getting this year is a bunch of reindeer poop!
The Dreaded Christmas Fruitcake
— Kelly Roper
Oh fruitcake, oh fruitcake,
Why are you heavy like a rock?
And why do people keep sending you to me? I really wish they would stop.
Your texture is like rubber,
And your fruit is chewy like gum.
I think no one would give you as a gift,
If they’d ever eaten some.
I’ve tried re-gifting you,
But you just keep coming back.
If I have to look at you one more time,
I think my mind will crack.
I really hate to be wasteful,
And I don’t like to act rash,
But I can’t take it anymore,
You’re going into the trash!
Here are two fun activities for Christmas you may also enjoy, coloring pages of The Grinch and adult Christmas pages.
Christmas Rhyming Poems For Kids
Here’s a great selection of very funny and cute holiday poems for kids.
My Dad Would Like To Be Santa
— Graham Craven
His belly’s getting bigger,
And his hair is turning white.
His eyes shine and sparkle
Like the stars on Christmas night.
He couldn’t fit down chimneys
When he can just fit through a door.
One mince pie would never do
He’d only ask for more.
He likes a nip of brandy;
It sets his cheeks aglow.
When he forgets the words to carols,
He just shouts Ho, Ho, Ho.
Snowball
— Shel Silverstein
I made myself a snowball
As perfect as could be,
I thought I’d keep it as a pet,
And let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas,
And a pillow for its head,
Then last night it ran away,
But first —it wet the bed!
I’m A Little Snowman
— Author Unknown
I’m a little snowman short and fat,
Here is my scarf and here is my hat.
When I see the snowfall,
Hear me shout
“All you children please come out!”
A Chubby Snowman
— Anonymous
A chubby little snowman
had a carrot nose.
Along came a bunny,
and what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny,
looking for some lunch,
Grabbed that snowman’s nose,
Nibble, nibble, crunch!
Talking Turkeys
— Annabel Sheila
A squeak on the stairs.
Could Santa be here?
Better pull my blankets
Up to my ears.
He comes down the chimney,
That’s how he gets in.
Santa uses magic
To make himself thin.
I better keep still,
Can’t make a peep.
He doesn’t leave toys,
Unless you’re asleep.
My door just opened.
Someone’s by my bed.
It wasn’t Santa after all,
‘Cause Mom just kissed my head.
Little Pine Tree
— Author Unknown
I’m a little pine tree
As you can see,
All the other pine trees
Are bigger than me.
Maybe when I grow up
Then I’ll be
A great big merry Christmas tree!
Peppermint Stick
— Author Unknown
I took a lick
Of a peppermint stick
And oh it tasted yummy!
It used to be
On the Christmas tree
But now it’s in my tummy!
The Day Before Christmas
— Marchette Chute
We have been helping with the cake,
And licking out the pan,
And wrapping up our packages,
As neatly as we can.
We have hung our stockings up,
Beside the open grate.
And now there’s nothing more to do,
Except
To
Wait.
Santa
— Author Unknown
Two merry blue eyes
A very little nose
A long snowy beard
And cheeks like a rose
A round, chubby man
A big, bulging pack
Hurrah for old Santa
We’re glad he’s come back!
What Reminds You of Christmas?
— Ernestine Northover
A holly wreath hung on the door,
Or presents strewn across the floor,
Tall Christmas tree with baubles bright,
Which fills our hearts with such delight.
Carols sung out in the snow,
A Snowman built with eyes aglow,
Crackers pulled, a song to sing,
Candles lit, and bells that ring.
Roasted turkey, which tastes divine,
Rich fruit cake, with an iced design,
No, the most important reminder of all,
Is the birth of a babe in an Ox’s stall.
Christmas Dog
— Shel Silverstein
Tonight’s my first night as a watchdog,
And here it is Christmas Eve.
The children are sleeping all cozy upstairs,
while I’m guardin’ the stockin’s and tree.
What’s that now —footsteps on the rooftop?
Could it be a cat or a mouse?
Who’s this down the chimney?
A thief with a beard—
And a big sack for robbin’ the house?
I’m barkin’, I’m growlin’, I’m bitin’ his butt.
He howls and jumps back in his sleigh.
I scare his strange horses, they leap in the air.
I’ve frightened the whole bunch away.
Now the house is all peaceful and quiet again,
The stockin’s are safe as can be.
Won’t the kiddies be glad when they wake up tomorrow
And see how I’ve guarded the tree.
A Song Was Heard At Christmas
— Timothy Dudley-Smith
A song was heard at Christmas
To wake the midnight sky:
A saviour’s birth, and peace on earth,
And praise to God on high.
The angels sang at Christmas
With all the hosts above,
And still we sing the newborn King
His glory and his love.
Christ’s Nativity
— Henry Vaughan
Awake, glad heart! get up and sing!
It is the birth— day of thy King.
Awake! awake!
The Sun doth shake
Light from his locks, and all the way
Breathing perfumes, doth spice the day.
Awake, awake! hark how th’ wood rings;
Winds whisper, and the busy springs
A concert make;
Awake! awake!
Man is their high-priest, and should rise
To offer up the sacrifice.
I would I were some bird, or star,
Flutt’ring in woods, or lifted far
Above this inn
And road of sin!
Then either star or bird should be
Shining or singing still to thee.
I would I had in my best part
Fit rooms for thee! or that my heart
Were so clean as
Thy manger was!
But I am all filth, and obscene;
Yet, if thou wilt, thou canst make clean.
Sweet Jesu! will then. Let no more
This leper haunt and soil thy door!
Cure him, ease him,
O release him!
And let once more, by mystic birth,
The Lord of life be born in earth.
In The Bleak Midwinter
— Christina Rossetti
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
Best Christmas Poems To Write On Greeting Cards
If you’re looking for good Christmas rhyming poems to add to cards, this list below has good ones.
Christmas Stars
— Marie Irish
The golden Christmas stars shine down
With a cheerful Christmas glow,
And twinkle a Yuletide message
To the busy world below;
They tell of the peace and good will
The Christmas time brings to earth,
The peace and good will all should feel
At this season of joy and mirth.
Christmas Comes Once A Year
— Thomas Miller
Upon a gayer, happier scene,
Never did holly berries peer.
Or ivy throw its trailing green,
On brighter forms than there are here,
Nor Christmas in his old armchair
Smile upon lips and brows more fare
Then let us sing amid our cheer,
Old Christmas still comes once a year.
Christmas Now Surrounds Us
— Shirley Sallay
Christmas now surrounds us,
Happiness is everywhere
Our hands are busy with many tasks
As carols fill the air.
A Christmas Greeting
— Author Unknown
A Merry Christmas morning
To each and every one!
The rose has kissed the dawning,
And the gold is in the sun.
And may the Christmas splendor
A joyous greeting bear,
Of love that’s true and tender
And faith that’s sweet and fair.
Bright Be The Day
— J. S. Ogilvie
O bright be the day
Sweet echoes resounding,
Love lighting the way
And warm hearts surrounding.
May the breath of His peace
In thy spirit remain,
Till Christmas revisits
The round world again.
Blessings To You
— Kate Summers
Many blessings are sent to you
For a Christmas and Happy New Year too.
May blessings come to you the day
And God be with you in every way.
Just like the love that came that night
God gave us a glorious light
May peace fill your heart
And the year have a wonderful start.
Everything Christmasy
— Author Unknown
Everything Christmasy,
Everything bright,
Every merry
From morning till night –
That’s what you’re wished
At this time of good cheer,
Along with life’s best
Through a wonderful year!
Let Every Day Be Christmas
— Norman W. Brooks
Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself.
Christmas As A Holiday
— Nicholas Gordon
Christmas is a holiday for friends,
However, they may be, or not, related.
Remember that the three wise kings were strangers
In search of one remote, uncanny dream.
So may we all be far more than we seem,
Together bound for dark and haunting changes,
More lovely for the loves we have created
Along the lonely paths from means to ends,
Stumbling towards that star of Bethlehem.
Christmas Bells
— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
White Christmas
— Irving Berlin
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know,
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.
The Nicest Present
— Karl and Joanna Fuchs
Under the tree the gifts enthrall,
But the nicest present of them all
Is filling our thoughts with those who care,
Wanting our Christmas joy to share.
To you, whom we’re often thinking of,
We send our holiday joy and love.
Christmas
— Author Unknown
Every time a hand reaches out
To help another….that is Christmas
Every time someone puts anger aside
And strives for understanding
That is Christmas
Every time people forget their differences
And realize their love for each other
That is Christmas
May this Christmas bring us
Closer to the spirit of human understanding
Closer to the blessing of peace!
A Christmas Song
— Edna Greene Hines
There is a Christmas song upon the air,
There is a joy innate within the heart;
An inner sense of peace, a holy light
Illumines life and sets these days apart.
When Santa Claus Comes
— Eugene Field
A good time is coming, I wish it were here,
The very best time in the whole of the year;
I’m counting each day on my fingers and thumbs –
the weeks that must pass before Santa Claus comes.
Then when the first snowflakes begin to come down,
And the wind whistles sharp and the branches are brown,
I’ll not mind the cold, though my fingers it numbs,
For it brings the time nearer when Santa Claus comes.
Christmas Long Ago
— Jo Geis
Frosty days and ice— still nights,
Fir trees trimmed with tiny lights,
Sound of sleigh bells in the snow,
That was Christmas long ago.
Tykes on sleds and shouts of glee,
Icy-window filigree,
Sugarplums and candle glow,
Part of Christmas long ago.
Footsteps stealthy on the stair,
Sweet-voiced carols in the air,
Stocking hanging in a row,
Tell of Christmas long ago.
Starry nights so still and blue,
Good friends calling out to you,
Life, so fact, will always slow…
For dreams of Christmas long ago.
Christmas
— M.E. Miro
Christmas is more than a day in December
It’s all of those things that we love to remember
Its carolers singing familiar refrains
Bright colored stockings and shiny toy trains
Streamers of tinsel and glass satin balls
Laughter that rings through the house and its halls
Christmas is more than a day in December
Its the magic and the love
That we’ll always remember
Classic Rhyming Poems For The Holidays
Here is a list of the classic Christmas rhyming poems. My favorite of course is in this category- Twas the Night Before Christmas (Account of a visit from St. Nick)
Christmas Lights
— Marie Irish
Bright Christmas
stars shine on high,
Golden stars in the wint’ry sky;
Christmas candles in windows bright
Sends greeting into the night;
While in our hearts the Christmas flame,
Glows with a love like his who came,
The infant Christ of lowly birth,
To bring good will and peace to earth.
Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas (‘Twas The Night Before Christmas)
Previously thought to be written by Clement Clark Moore
— Major Henry Livingston, Jr.
’Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danc’d in their heads, And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap — When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, Gave the lustre of mid— day to objects below;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein— deer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and call’d them by name: “Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen, “On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem;
“To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
“Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;So up to the house—
top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys — and St. Nicholas too:
And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound: He was dress’d all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnish’d with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys was flung on his back,
And he look’d like a peddler just opening his pack:
His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry, His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow.
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face, and a little round belly
That shook when he laugh’d, like a bowl full of jelly: He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laugh’d when I saw him in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And fill’d all the stockings; then turn’d with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle:
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight — Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Christmas Trees
— Robert Frost
(A Christmas Circular Letter)
The city had withdrawn into itself
And left at last the country to the country;
When between whirls of snow not come to lie
And whirls of foliage not yet laid, there drove
A stranger to our yard, who looked the city,
Yet did in country fashion in that there
He sat and waited till he drew us out
A— buttoning coats to ask him who he was.
He proved to be the city come again
To look for something it had left behind
And could not do without and keep its Christmas.
He asked if I would sell my Christmas trees;
My woods—the young fir balsams like a place
Where houses all are churches and have spires.
I hadn’t thought of them as Christmas Trees.
I doubt if I was tempted for a moment
To sell them off their feet to go in cars
And leave the slope behind the house all bare,
Where the sun shines now no warmer than the moon. I’d hate to have them know it if I was.
Yet more I’d hate to hold my trees except
As others hold theirs or refuse for them,
Beyond the time of profitable growth,
The trial by market everything must come to.
I dallied so much with the thought of selling.
Then whether from mistaken courtesy
And fear of seeming short of speech, or whether From hope of hearing good of what was mine, I said, “There aren’t enough to be worth while.”
“I could soon tell how many they would cut,
You let me look them over.”
“You could look. But don’t expect I’m going to let you have them.” Pasture they spring in, some in clumps too close
That lop each other of boughs, but not a few Quite solitary and having equal boughs
All round and round. The latter he nodded “Yes” to, Or paused to say beneath some lovelier one,
With a buyer’s moderation, “That would do.”
I thought so too, but wasn’t there to say so.
We climbed the pasture on the south, crossed over, And came down on the north. He said, “A thousand.”
“A thousand Christmas trees!—at what apiece?”
He felt some need of softening that to me:
“A thousand trees would come to thirty dollars.”
Then I was certain I had never meant
To let him have them. Never show surprise! But thirty dollars seemed so small beside
The extent of pasture I should strip, three cents (For that was all they figured out apiece),
Three cents so small beside the dollar friends
I should be writing to within the hour
Would pay in cities for good trees like those, Regular vestry— trees whole Sunday Schools Could hang enough on to pick off enough.
A thousand Christmas trees I didn’t know I had! Worth three cents more to give away than sell, As may be shown by a simple calculation.
Too bad I couldn’t lay one in a letter.
I can’t help wishing I could send you one,
In wishing you herewith a Merry Christmas.
Mistletoe
— Walter De La Mare
Sitting under the mistletoe (Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
One last candle burning low,
All the sleepy dancers gone,
Just one candle burning on,
Shadows lurking everywhere:
Some one came, and kissed me there.
Tired I was; my head would go Nodding under the mistletoe (Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
No footsteps came, no voice, but only, Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely, Stooped in the still and shadowy air Lips unseen—and kissed me there.
The Magi
— William Butler Yeats
Now as at all times I can see in the mind’s eye,
In their stiff, painted clothes, the pale unsatisfied ones Appear and disappear in the blue depths of the sky
With all their ancient faces like rain-beaten stones, And all their helms of silver hovering side by side,
And all their eyes still fixed, hoping to find once more, Being by Calvary’s turbulence unsatisfied,
The uncontrollable mystery on the bestial floor.
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