What Is Christmas Poems

Discover the true spirit of Christmas with poems that inspire reflection and joy.

Christmas is the birth of Jesus, love shared, joy given, and hearts united in peace

Updated November 20, 2025, by Catherine Pulsifer

There are so many things that Christmas can be. But what is Christmas? Let these poems answer that question for you or at least give you thoughts to reflect upon.

What Is Christmas?

Exploring Christmas traditions, symbols, and the holiday's true meaning.

What Is Christmas?

Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

"What is Christmas," the little girl did ask,
"It seems like such a task."
I thought about Christmas before I gave a reply.
I wanted to answer properly, I did not want to lie.

Is Christmas all the trees and lights?
Is that what makes Christmas so bright?
Or, is Christmas Santa Claus and gifts,
Or, checking off our long to-do lists?

Is Christmas meant to be a stressful time of year,
With little time to spend with those who are dear?
Or, is Christmas a time to decorate all -
Our house, the church, and even the hall?

Or, is Christmas a time to buy expensive gifts
Or, is it the first snow that falls, and the snow drifts?
The meaning of Christmas can soon disappear
When not meeting a standard becomes a fear.

No, no, my mind was saying,
It started with Jesus in a manger laying.
A glorious night the angels did say
To the shepherds where the sheep did lay.

Christmas is the gift of love.
God sent his Son from above.
Christmas is a time of peace and joy
Love for people, girls, and boys.

Christmas is a feeling of sharing
Where people feel others are caring.
All these other things that have materialized
Are not the true meaning of Christmas, I realized.

To the little girl, an answer I did say:
"It was a gift from God and His way
To show us His love, by sending His Son.
A blessing to teach us how to love everyone."

Christmas is the gift of love. God sent his Son from above Christmas Poems About Jesus

You May Ask . . .

Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

What is Christmas, you may ask,
More than gifts and festive tasks?
It’s love and hope that brightly gleam,
A Savior’s birth, a sacred theme.

Beneath the lights and mistletoe,
The truest meaning starts to grow:
Peace on earth, goodwill to all,
A humble Child, a manger stall.

Related: Christian Christmas Poems

The Heartfelt Meaning of Christmas

Reflection on the essence of Christmas as a time of love, peace, and giving.

The Meaning of Christmas

Poet: Delphia C. Freeman

When the hustle and bustle is over
And the last of the gifts has been wrapped,
And the cookies and cakes are all ready
For the big Christmas plans you have mapped;

When the children are quiet and dreaming
of the presents Saint Nick will bestow,
And the fire on the hearth burns less brightly,
And the clock has struck twelve long ao;

You relax by the embers and ponder
On this happiest evening of all . . .
On the meaning of Christmas to mankind
By Christ's birth in the low cattle stall.

In the giving of gifts upon Christmas,
People pattern the Father above
Who, in giving His Son, gave His best gift . . .
So the meaning of Christmas is love.

The meaning of Christmas is love. Christmas Poems About Love

Christmas Shines

Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

Christmas shines with love so bright,
A season filled with pure delight,
With every gift and hand we lend,
It’s peace and joy we seek to send.

The heart of giving, warm and true,
Brings light to all in all we do,
For in this time, we come to see,
The gift of love is meant to be.

Related: Short Inspirational Christmas Poems

Christmas At Its Core

Focus on the celebration of Jesus’ birth and family gatherings.

Christmas At Its Core

Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

Christmas is a widely celebrated holiday,
Bringing joy and love in every way.
At its core, it celebrates the birth,
Of Jesus Christ, being born on this earth.

Families gather, hearts are filled with delight,
As carols ring out on the holy night.
In this season of giving and spreading cheer,
May Christmas bless all, throughout the year.

In this season of giving and spreading cheer, May Christmas bless all, throughout the year. Christmas Blessings

We Gather

Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

A star shines bright on Bethlehem’s night,
Guiding hearts with heaven’s light,
For unto us, a child is born,
A Savior’s love, this Christmas morn.

We gather close, our family near,
To share in joy, to hold what's dear,
With laughter, meals, and prayers we raise,
In humble thanks, in songs of praise.

For in His birth, our hope is found,
With love and peace, we’re tightly bound,
This time we cherish, pure and true,
A gift of grace, both old and new.

Related: Christmas Messages For Family

Christmas Is Gifts Beyond Price

Exploring non-material gifts: love, time, caring, and kindness, as symbols of Christmas.

Christmas Is Gifts

Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

Christmas is the giving of gifts
to one another.
But is there a gift that is
better than others?

Consider gifts that
Money can't buy
It means more than
a gift priced high.

The gift of love is priceless
It means more than you can guess.
The gift of time is precious
Time can not be purchased.

The gift of caring is meaningful,
Making the world more beautiful.
The gift of sharing is thoughtful,
Restoring faith in the doubtful.

The gift of kindness can impact a person
much better than giving a sermon.
The gift of laughter
takes the focus off what doesn't matter.

God gave us his Son,
A gift that money couldn't buy
A gift that was a miracle
For the world a pinnacle.

The gift of kindness can impact a person much better than giving a sermon. Christmas Poems About Hope

The Greatest Gifts

Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

The greatest gifts aren't bought or sold,
But hearts that give and hands that hold,
A love that's shared, a moment's care,
These treasures fill the Christmas air.

It's time we spend, a kind embrace,
A gentle smile, a peaceful space,
For all these gifts, both small and true,
Are Christmas wrapped in all we do.

Related: God's Christmas Gift

Christmas Is A Time For. . .

Recognizing Christmas as a season for gratitude, community, and spreading goodwill.

Christmas Is A Time For...

Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

Christmas is a time for introspection deep,
Gratitude for blessings, both small and steep.
In this season, goodwill we spread with care,
Generosity and love we all declare.

As we come together in community bright,
Sharing joy and kindness, in the warmest light.
May this spirit of giving stay with us all year,
Wishing peace and happiness to all, sincere.

May this spirit of giving stay with us all year, Wishing peace and happiness to all, sincere Christmas Quotes

A Time To Share

Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

Christmas brings a time to share,
A season filled with grateful prayer,
For all we have and those we love,
A gentle blessing from above.

With open hearts, we spread goodwill,
A simple act, a kindness still,
For in this time of joy and light,
We shine our best, both warm and bright.

Related: Christmas Time Is