MARY BRASWELL: Looking Back at Christmas quotes

On this Christmas Eve, it’s the perfect time for Looking Back at the words of Christmas, and the best place to start is with Linus Van Pelt’s recitation of Luke 2: 8-14 from the King James Bible.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this (shall be) a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

Quik Quiz

Who said this? “The world grows old but the spirit of Christmas is ever young.”

a) Harry S. Truman

b) Dwight D. Eisenhower

c) Calvin Coolidge

d) Herbert Hoover

The answer is at the end of the column.

In the words of others

• “Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind and that’s what’s been changing. That’s why I’m glad I’m here, maybe I can do something about it.” — Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwen, “Miracle on 34th Street,” 1947)

• “He puzzled and puzzled ’til his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. Maybe Christmas, he thought … doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps … means a little bit more!” — Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

• “Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.” — The Conductor in “Polar Express”

• “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” — Calvin Coolidge

• “Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” — Washington Irving

• “Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” — Charles M. Schultz

• “When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things — not the great occasions — give off the greatest glow of happiness.” — Bob Hope

• “Christmas can be celebrated in the school room with pine trees, tinsel and reindeer, but there must be no mention of the man whose birthday is being celebrated. One wonders how a teacher would answer if a student asked why it was called Christmas.” — Ronald Reagan

• “Nothing’s as mean as giving a little child something useful for Christmas.” — Kin Hubbard

• “Christmas, my child, is love in action.” — Dale Evans

• “Don’t let the past steal your present. This is the message of Christmas.” — Taylor Caldwell

• “One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” — Andy Rooney

• “Christmas gift suggestions: to your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.” — Oren Arnold

• Anyone who believes that men are the equal of women has never watched a man trying to wrap a Christmas present.” — Unknown

• “Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy; who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift that he bestows.” — Edwin Osgood Grover

• “The worst gift is a fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the world and people keep sending it to each other.” — Johnny Carson

• “I like to compare the holiday season with the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure is in the familiar way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it takes, the familiar moments of suspense, and the familiar climax and ending.” — Fred Rogers

•“If you can’t wrap Christmas presents well, at least make it look like they put up a good fight.” — Unknown

• “Christmas is the day that holds all time together.” — Alexander Smith

• “A good conscience is a continual Christmas.” — Benjamin Franklin

• “Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus.” — Neal A. Maxwell

• “Unless we make Christmas a time to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it white.” — Bing Crosby

• “When you stop believing in Santa Claus, you get underwear.” — Unknown

• “All around us at Christmas this year there will be those less fortunate than we are. Don’t pass up the opportunities God gives you this Christmas to personally be charitable to others.” — Dr. David Jeremiah

• “Peace on Earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day.” — Helen Steiner Rice

• “The spirit of Christmas is found when we lift the load of others.” — Toni Sorenson

• “For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.” — Charles Dickens

• “Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.” — Dr. Seuss

My personal favorite…

• “Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” — Bobby, age 7

QUIK QUIZ answer: a) Harry S. Truman

Each week Albany Herald researcher Mary Braswell looks for interesting events, places and people from the past. You can contact her at (229) 888-9371 or [email protected]. Follow @ABH_MBraswell on Twitter