Unusual Christmas Quotes and Sayings

Since I'm a bibliophile, and many of my friends are as well, I thought I would try and search out some unusual Christmas quotes with a more literary bent this year. Six of them are for my friends whom I know celebrate Christmas; for those of a different faith, or those whom I don't know very well, I have chosen quotes and sayings which convey the messages of peace and joy, which are universal. Some cards I design myself; some are specially purchased blank Christmas cards; and a some are traditional cards, in which I sometimes insert special notes, pictures, or poetry.

Many of the same quotations appear over and over again in books and on cards, and so I tried to find some that were more unique. In the spirit of Christmas, I'd like to share them with you.

A Christmas Blessing

"During this Christmas season,
May you be blessed
With the spirit of the season,
which is peace,
The gladness of the season,
which is hope,
and the heart of the season,
which is love."
-John Greenleaf Whittier

"Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends."
-Margaret Thatcher

"Lord, when the Wise Men came from far
Led to thy cradle by a star,
Then did the shepherds too rejoice
Instructed by the angel's voice
Blest were the Wise Men in their skill
And shepherds in their harmless will."
-Sidney Godolphin, from The New Oxford Book Of English Verse 1250-1950, Oxford Univ Press, 1972

"While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around."
-Nahum Tate, from The New Oxford Book Of Christian Verse, Oxford Univ Press, 1981

"May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through."
-Unknown

"Joy is the true gift of Christmas..."
-Pope Benedict XVI

"This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone."
-Taylor Caldwell

"Joy is not in things; it is in us."
-Richard Wagner

"We shall find peace. We shall hear angels. We shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds."
-Anton Chekov

"May your walls know joy; may every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility."
-Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey

Of course, there's always one friend or co-worker on my list who appreciates a bit of humor at the holidays, so for those looking for something a little more irreverent, here's one of my favorites;

"Christmas at my house is always at least 6 or 7 times more pleasant than anywhere else. We start drinking early. And while everyone else is seeing only one Santa Claus, we'll be seeing 6 or 7."
-W.C. Fields

On that note, Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings to everyone!