Hush, mo croidhe, hush,
            The birds are asleep in the brush;
The stars are crowding the sky wi’ their light
As they did long ago on Nativity Night.
            Hush, mo croidhe, hush.
 
            Sleep, mo croidhe, sleep.
            Each hill holds it full o’ white sheep.
Three Kings on their camels wi’ treasure I see,
But love is the birth-gift my heart brings to ye.
            Sleep, mo croidhe, sleep.
 
            Rest, mo croidhe, rest.
            Each mother that beareth is blest.
Hark, Mother Mary, look down as I pray,
And bless ye all childher at this ring o’ day.
            Rest, mo croidhe, rest.
 

 
 Sing lustily of Christmas Folly,
Sing of Ivy, Bay, and Holly,
Banish each his Melancholy,
                        And ever more be merry!
 
Turn the spit and boil the pudding,
Give to all who come a-gooding,
Loose the falcons from their hooding,
                        And ever more be merry!
 
Give Sir Yule Log doughty hewing,
Give Sir Mutton tasty stewing,
Give Sir Wassail goodly brewing,
                        And ever more be merry!
 
Now flows each cask and casket’s treasure,
Time the lutes to dancing measure,
Heigh and ho for Christmas pleasure,
And ever more be merry!

The Great Astonishment

Source Unknown

             Whosoever on the night of the nativity of the young Lord Jesus, in the great snows, shall fare forth bearing a succulent bone for the lost and lamenting hound, a wisp of hay for the shivering horse, a cloak of warm raiment for the stranded wayfarer, a bundle of faggots for the twittering crane, a flagon of red wine for him whose marrow withers, a garland of bright berries for one who has worn chains, gay arias of lute and harp for all huddled birds who thought that song was dead, and divers sweetmeats for such babies’ faces as peer from lonely windows -

             To him shall be proffered and returned gifts of such an astonishment as will rival the hues of the peacock and the harmonies of heaven, so that though he live to the great age when man goes stooping and querulous because of the nothing that is left in him, yet shall he walk upright and remembering, as one whose heart shines like a great star in his breast.