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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.
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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind.
To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy,
is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”
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Calvin Coolidge
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“Are you willing to stoop down and consider
the needs and desires of little children;
to remember the weaknesses and loneliness
of people who are growing old;
to stop asking how much your friends love you,
and to ask yourself if you love them enough;
to bear in mind the things that other people
have to bear on their hearts;
to trim your lamp so that it will give more light
and less smoke, and to carry it in front
so that your shadow will fall behind you;
to make a grave for your ugly thoughts
and a garden for your kindly feelings,
with the gate open?
Are you willing to do these things for a day?
Then you are ready to keep Christmas!”
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Henry Van Dyke
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“Christmas, my child, is love in action.”
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Dale Evans Rogers
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“Learn to light a candle
in the darkest moments of someone’s life.
Be the light that helps others see;
it is what gives life its deepest significance.”
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Roy T. Bennett
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“At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell,
but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them.
Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer
hear its sweet sound. Though I’ve grown old,
the bell still rings for me,
as it does for all who truly believe.”
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Chris Van Allsburg
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Colonial Williamsburg 2017
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“The Warrior of the Light is a believer.
Because he believes in miracles,
miracles begin to happen.
Because he is sure that his thoughts
can change his life, his life begins to change.
Because he is certain that he will find love,
love appears.”
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Paulo Coelho
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“I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit
in jars and open a jar of it every month.”
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Harlan Miller
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Photos by Woodland Gnome 2016
at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
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Forest Garden 