Christmas can be cozy by the fire or bright out on the waves. It can be quiet, or full of laughter like a sunlit Santa balancing on a board. However it finds us, the season invites us to keep a little warmth burning inside, no matter how cold the wind may feel outside.

At the heart of this page is a spirited reminder from Sir Walter Scott: “Heap on more wood! The wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, we’ll keep our Christmas merry still.”

The quotations below gather that same spirit of courage, humor, and steady-hearted joy — blessings and jokes, Scripture and honest reflections, all carried by Christmas light.

And his name shall be called Emmanuel (God with us). ~ Matthew 1:23

A little smile, a word of cheer, a bit of love from someone near, a little gift from one held dear, best wishes for the coming year — these make a Merry Christmas! ~ John Greenleaf Whittier

Santa is very jolly because he knows where all the bad girls live. ~ Dennis Miller

It’s the first time I’m going to be on my own this Christmas and I’m really looking forward to not having any cards or decorations up. So I’ll be in London, sit on my couch, arms folded, curtains drawn, having a drink. ~ Noel Gallagher

Christmas is time to sing “Happy Birthday” to someone in the form of Christmas carols. ~ Carmen Rutlen

I never get over feeling bad about tearing open a beautifully wrapped present. It takes ten seconds to destroy a work of art that took someone ten minutes to accomplish. ~ Andy Rooney

I wish we could put some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. ~ Harlan Miller

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all thirty feet tall. ~ Larry Wilde

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist. ~ Francis P. Church

Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most. ~ Ruth Carter

If “ifs” and “buts” were candy and nuts, wouldn’t it be a Merry Christmas? ~ Don Meredith

Of course, this is the season to be jolly, but it is also a good time to be thinking about those who aren’t. ~ Helen Valentine