Christmas Poems by Robert Frost

Robert Frost, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, is known for his vivid imagery, deep insight, and profound reflections on nature and life. However, what many may not realize is that Frost also wrote several beautiful poems on the theme of Christmas. In this article, we will explore some of Frost's Christmas poems and delve into the themes and emotions he captures in his verses.

The Spirit of Christmas in Frost's Poetry

Robert Frost's Christmas poems capture the essence of the holiday season with a blend of nostalgia, reverence, and quiet beauty. Through his evocative verses, Frost invites readers to reflect on the deeper meanings of Christmas beyond the commercialized aspects of the season. His poems resonate with themes of hope, love, generosity, and the timeless traditions that bring warmth to the heart during the cold winter months.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

In this iconic poem, Frost captures the beauty and stillness of a winter evening as he contemplates the tranquil scene before him. Though not explicitly a Christmas poem, the imagery of snow and the sense of solitude and reflection evoke the peaceful spirit of the holiday season.

Christmas Trees

The city had withdrawn into itself
And left at last the country to the country;
When between whirls of snow not come to lie
And whirls of foliage not yet laid, there drove
A stranger to our yard, who looked the city,

Yet did in country fashion in that there
He sat and waited till he drew us out
A-buttoning coats to ask him who he was.
He proved to be the city come again
To look for something it had left behind

And could not do without and keep its Christmas.
He asked if I would sell my Christmas trees;
My woods—the young fir balsams like a place
Where houses all are churches and have spires.
I hadn’t thought of them as Christmas Trees.

I doubt if I was tempted for a moment
To sell them off their feet to go in cars
And leave the slope behind the house all bare,
Where the sun shines now no warmer than the moon.
I’d hate to have them know it if I was.

Yet more I’d hate to hold my trees except
As others hold theirs or refuse for them,
Beyond the time of profitable growth,
The trial by market everything must come to.
I dallied so much with the thought of selling.

Then whether from mistaken courtesy
And fear of seeming short of speech, or whether
From hope of hearing good of what was mine,
I said, "There aren't enough to be worth while."
"I could soon tell how many they would cut,

You let me look them over."
"You could look.
But don’t expect I’m going to let you have them."

Pasture they spring in, some in clumps too close
That lop each other of boughs, but not a few
Quite solitary and having equal boughs
All-round and round. The latter he nodded "Yes" to,
Or paused to say beneath some lovelier one,

With a buyer’s moderation, "That would do."
I thought so too, but wasn’t there to say so.
We climbed the pasture on the south, crossed
Over and came down on the north. He said, "A thousand."
"A thousand Christmas trees!—at what apiece?"

He felt some need of softening that to me:
"A thousand trees would come to thirty dollars."
Then I was certain I had never meant
To let him have them. Never show surprise!
But thirty dollars seemed so small beside

The extent of pasture I should strip, three cents
(For that was all they figured out apiece),
Three cents so small beside the dollar friends
I should be writing to within the hour
Would pay in cities for good trees like those,

Regular vestry-trees whole Sunday Schools
Could hang enough on to pick off enough.
A thousand Christmas trees I didn’t know I had!
Worth three cents more to give away than sell,
As may be shown by a simple calculation.

Too bad I couldn’t lay one in a letter.
I can’t help wishing I could send you one,
In wishing you herewith a Merry Christmas.

In "Christmas Trees," Frost explores the idea of the holiday traditions and the sentimental value of Christmas trees. The poem reflects on the essence of gift-giving, generosity, and the joy of sharing in the spirit of Christmas with others.

Robert Frost's Christmas poems offer a glimpse into the poetic genius of this iconic writer and his ability to capture the essence of the holiday season in his evocative verses. Through themes of nature, reflection, tradition, and the spirit of giving, Frost's Christmas poems continue to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds, reminding us of the timeless beauty and meaning of Christmas. Let Frost's words inspire you to embrace the magic of the holiday season and to cherish the moments of joy, love, and togetherness that Christmas brings.