5 Christmas Poems to Read By the Fire with Care

Celebrate Christmas Eve by indulging in Christmas poems, readings, and hymns with your family by the fire.

The scent of pine fills the air. A roaring fire crackles and pops. The cookies are plated. The milk is poured. And you and yours wait patiently for eve to turn to morn.

Soon, Santa will be on his way to fill your Christmas stockings with incredible treats, ushering in the true beginning of the Christmas celebration. Get ready for the happy occasion by indulging your family in a few Christmas poems, readings, and hymns by the fire. Need some inspiration? Below are just a few of our favorites.

#1 - “The Night Before Christmas”

Certainly, no Christmas Eve celebration would be complete without a reading of Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas”—which is more commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas” or “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”. The poem was originally published anonymously in 1823, and was later attributed to Moore.

“The Night Before Christmas”

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through 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 danced in their heads;

And mamma 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 my 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 a lustre of midday to objects below,

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,

With a little old driver so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;

So up to the housetop 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 dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a pedler 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 on 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 laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed 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 filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang 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!”

#2 - “Five Little Stockings”

This little poem can be paired with a Christmas craft to help your little ones learn how to count. (Psst. You can get a low-cost printable kit here.)

“Five Little Stockings”

Five little stockings hanging by the fire,

the first one said, "I'm getting tired."

The second one said, "But Santa's on his way!"

The third one said, "Oh boy, let’s play!"

The fourth one said, "Oh fun, fun, fun!”

The fifth one said, “The day is almost done.”

Then ding went the clock and out went the light.

And five little stockings got filled that night!

#3 - “December Story”

This sweet excerpt from “December Story” by L. Rountree Smith, which can be found in

Kindergarten-Primary Magazine, Volume 31, exudes joyous anticipation of what’s yet to come.

An Excerpt from “December Story”

Five little stockings hung in a row,

Empty quite from top to toe,

‘Tis not very difficult to believe,

That they hung like this on Christmas Eve.

Then hark to the sleigh bells that jingle so

Old Santa is riding out over the snow!

His reindeer all go pitter, patter,

Up on the roof with such a clatter,

Then down the chimney with a merry ho! ho!

Old Santa comes down with a bound you know.

With toys they bulge from top to toe,

Then he trims a little Christmas tree,

With presents bring for you and me,

Then this jolly old man before any one knows,

With a hop and a skip, up the chimney goes,

Singing “Hurrah! We must be jolly,

Then hang up the mistletoe and holly,

Then ring bells, ring with joyous chime,

‘Tis merry, merry Christmas time.

Oh patter, patter, reindeer feet,

And tinkle, tinkle, sleigh bells sweet,

Old Santa Claus we hear you call,

“A Merry Christmas to one and all!”

#4 - “Santa”

This little poem comes from an unknown source, but we love it for its simplicity. For us, this could be the perfect poem to recite as you set out milk and cookies for Santa.

“Santa”

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!

#5 - “O Holy Night”

With the Christmas season being rooted in Christians’ celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth, we’d be remiss if we didn’t include “O Holy Night” here. Christmas carol. Religious hymn. Beautiful poetry. This classic work is the perfect addition to any fireside gathering on Christmas Eve.

“O Holy Night”

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here come the wise men from the Orient land.

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weaknesses no stranger,

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

His power and glory evermore proclaim.