Why Do the Bells of Christmas Ring?

Why do little children sing?

Once a lovely shining star,
Seen by shepherds from afar,
Gently moved until its light
Made a manger’s cradle bright.

There a darling baby lay,
Pillowed soft upon the hay;
And its mother sung and smiled:
“This is Christ, the holy Child!”

Therefore bells for Christmas ring,
Therefore little children sing.

More poems by Eugene Field

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

Wynken, blynken, and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe,—
Sailed on a river of crystal light …
Little Boy Blue

The little toy dog is covered with dust,
But sturdy and stanch he stands;
And the little toy soldier is red with rust, …
Seein’ Things

I Ain’t afeard uv snakes, or toads, or bugs, or worms, or mice,
An’ things ’at girls are skeered uv I think are awful nice!
I ’m pretty brave, I guess; an’ yet I hate to go to bed, …
In the Firelight

The fire upon the hearth is low,
And there is stillness everywhere,
And, like winged spirits, here and there …