At Christmas Poem
Explore Edgar A. Guest's "At Christmas" and the spirit of giving, kindness, and love.
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At Christmas
By Catherine Pulsifer, last updated November 13, 2024
This poem, At Christmas, was written by Edgar A. Guest and his words reflect how we are at Christmas. We think of others more, we share more, we help out more.
Let this poem inspire you.
At Christmas
Poet: Edgar A. Guest
A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year;
He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season's here;
Then he's thinking more of others than be's thought the months before,
And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.
He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;
When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.
When it's Christmas man is bigger and is better in his part;
He is keener for the service that is prompted by the heart.
All the petty thoughts and narrow seem to vanish for awhile
And the true reward he's seeking is the glory of a smile.
Then for others he is toiling and somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas he is almost what God wanted him to be.
If I had to paint a picture of a man I think I'd wait
Till he'd fought his selfish battles and had put aside his hate.
I'd not catch him at his labors when his thoughts are all of pelf,
On the long days and the dreary when he's striving for himself.
I'd not take him when he's sneering, when he's scornful or depressed,
But I'd look for him at Christmas when he's shining at his best.
Man is ever in a struggle and he's oft misunderstood;
There are days the worst that's in him is the master of the good,
But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside
And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide.
Oh, I don't know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be.
Summary of Edgar A. Guest poem, At Christmas:
In "At Christmas," Edgar A. Guest explores the transformative power of the Christmas spirit, emphasizing how the season brings out the best in people. The poem suggests that, during Christmas, a person is at their finest — less selfish, kinder, and more focused on the well-being of others. The "Christmas spirit" leads individuals to think more of others than themselves, bringing them closer to their ideal, selfless selves.
The poem contrasts the spirit of Christmas with the ordinary, everyday struggles of life. It highlights how people are often consumed by selfishness, greed, and negativity, but at Christmas, those tendencies are subdued. The man who struggles with hatred, selfish desires, and negative emotions is transformed into someone who embodies kindness and generosity. Guest also touches on the idea that Christmas allows people to step outside of their usual concerns, such as material gain, to focus on service and human connection, finding joy in simple acts like sharing a smile.
The imagery of a person at their "best" at Christmas contrasts with the selfish, "scornful" side of human nature, suggesting that the true essence of humanity is realized when one acts with compassion and love. Guest implies that this is the ideal state of being — the way God intended people to live, and at Christmas, they come closest to that ideal.
In essence, Guest's poem celebrates the moral elevation that Christmas encourages, urging people to embody the values of kindness, generosity, and love that are central to the season. He presents Christmas not only as a time of joy and celebration but as an opportunity for personal growth, where individuals can briefly become the best version of themselves.
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