(Noel Paul Stookey)

And it came to pass on a Christmas evening

While all the doors were shuttered tight

Outside standing, a lonely boy-child

Cold and shivering in the night.



On the street every window

Save but one was gleaming bright

And to this window walked the boy-child

Peeking in saw candlelight.



Through other windows he had looked at turkeys

And ducks and geese and cherry pies

But through this window saw a gray-haired lady

Table bare and tears in her eyes.



Into his coat reached the boy-child

Knowing well there was little there

He took from his pocket his own Christmas dinner

A bit of cheese, some bread to share.



His outstretched hands held the food and they trembled

As the door it opened wide

Said he "Would you share with me Christmas dinner?"

And gently said she "Come inside."



The gray-haired lady brought forth to the table

Some glasses to their last drop of wine

Said she "Here's a toast to everyone's Christmas,

And especially yours and mine!"



And it came to pass on that Christmas evening

While all the doors were shuttered tight

That in that town the happiest Christmas

Was shared by candlelight.