The Young Oxford Book of Christmas Poems

Starting with the Advent season in the cold of winter, this work travels through the joys and mysteries of Christmas. It moves from cards to carols, bells to angels, holly to stars, and trees to Santa Claus, until it reaches the birth of Jesus in the manger, the adoration of the shepherds, and the coming of the Kings. Finally, it looks forward to the New Year and renewed hope for the future. The poets range from Blake, Clare, Donne, and Herrick, through Stevenson, de la Mare, Hardy and Rossetti, to Dylan Thomas, John Hegley, Charles Causley, Sylvia Plath, U. A. Fanthorpe, and Ted Hughes.