An English Christmas Quotes

“Christmas Day, 1843 Lord Shaftesbury ‘This is the day that the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.’ Rose before six to prayer and meditation. Ah, blessed God, how many in the mills and factories have risen at four, on this day even, to toil and suffering!”
― John Julius Norwich, An English Christmas

“Our invariable custom,’ replied Mr Wardle. ‘Everybody sits down with us on Christmas Eve, as you see them now – servants and all; and here we wait, until the clock strikes twelve, to usher Christmas in, and beguile the time with forfeits and old stories. Trundle, my boy, rake up the fire.’ Up flew the bright sparks in myriads as the logs were stirred. The deep red blaze sent forth a rich glow, that penetrated into the farthest corner of the room, and cast its cheerful tint on every face.”
― John Julius Norwich, An English Christmas

“If, however, I can by any lucky chance, in these days of evil, rub out one wrinkle from the brow of care, or beguile the heavy heart of one moment of sorrow; if I can now and then penetrate through the gathering film of misanthropy, prompt a benevolent view of human nature, and make my reader more in good humour with his fellow beings and himself, surely, surely, I shall not then have written entirely in vain.”
― John Julius Norwich, An English Christmas

“It was inspiring to see wild-eyed frolic and warm-hearted hospitality breaking out from among the chills and glooms of winter, and old age throwing off his apathy, and catching once more the freshness of youthful enjoyment. I felt also an interest in the scene, from the consideration that these fleeting customs were posting fast into oblivion, and that this was, perhaps, the only family in England in which the whole of them were still punctiliously observed.”
― John Julius Norwich, An English Christmas

“Two rows of straight Jacobean chairs stood facing each other. On one side were the men; on the other the women. When the house was full, with all the guests, servants, and visiting servants, there was a goodly company. The service always ended with the same hymn, called the Benediction hymn, sung kneeling: Father give us now Thy Blessing, Take us now beneath Thy Care; May we all enjoy Thy presence. And Thy tender mercies share. Guard us through this night from danger, Keep us in Thy heavenly love; Through our life do Thou be near us, Then receive us all above.”
― John Julius Norwich, An English Christmas