Christmas Poems 2016: 5 Verses For Kids And Holiday Cards

With Christmas just days away, you may want to start trying to find your copy of "The Night Before Christmas." Reading the classic poem, which was originally published in 1823 by Clement Clarke Moore, has become a holiday tradition for families around the world.

But if you can't locate the book in your big box of Christmas decorations, don't panic. It's not the only piece of literature that can quickly get you in the holiday spirit. Here are five Christmas poems you can read with kids, share on social media or write in greeting cards this winter. Sources are linked in each excerpt's title:

"Snowball" by Shel Silverstein

I made myself a snowball

As perfect as could be.

I thought I'd keep it as a pet

And let it sleep with me.

I made it some pajamas

And a pillow for its head.

Then last night it ran away,

But first it wet the bed.

"Christmas Bells" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

"A Christmas Wish" by Eugene Field

I’d like a stocking made for a giant,

And a meeting house full of toys,

Then I’d go out in a happy hunt

For the poor little girls and boys;

Up the street and down the street,

And across and over the town,

I’d search and find them everyone,

Before the sun went down.

"little tree" by e.e. cummings

little tree

little silent Christmas tree

you are so little

you are more like a flower

who found you in the green forest

and were you very sorry to come away?

see i will comfort you

because you smell so sweetly

i will kiss your cool bark

and hug you safe and tight

just as your mother would,

only don't be afraid

look the spangles

that sleep all the year in a dark box

dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,

the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,

put up your little arms

and i'll give them all to you to hold

every finger shall have its ring

and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy

then when you're quite dressed

you'll stand in the window for everyone to see

and how they'll stare!

oh but you'll be very proud

and my little sister and i will take hands

and looking up at our beautiful tree

we'll dance and sing

"Noel Noel"

"The Art of Keeping Christmas" by Wilferd A. Peterson

By using the light of Christmas

to guide us through the darkness of the coming year,

refusing to go back to the dim kerosene lamps of the spirit

when the brilliant electricity of Christmas

is available to show us the way.