Because it is Christmas

 

 Now, I don't know whether to call this a poem or a quote.  But I thought it would be an inspiring thing to share in my Christmas kitchen this season, so here it is.  I found this unused Christmas card in my mother's card stash and have set it aside to send to someone special at some point. Or, I may simply list it for sale in my Etsy shop.

In case you can't read it, here are the words:

"I am thinking of you today because it is Christmas, and I wish you happiness.  And tomorrow, because it will be the day after Christmas, I shall still wish you happiness.  I may not be able to tell you about it every day, because I may be far away or we may be very busy.  But that makes no difference -- my thoughts and my wishes will be with you just the same.  Whatever joy or success comes to you will make me glad.  Clear through the year ... I wish you the spirit of Christmas." -- Henry van Dyke

I didn't really know much about Henry van Dyke, so decided to do a quick search and learn a little more.  Here's what I read on AmericanLiterature.com.  

"Henry van Dyke was an American author, educator and clergyman, born in 1852 in Germantown, Pennsylvania.

He attended Princeton University, graduating in 1873 from then matriculated at the Princeton Theological Seminary from which he graduated in 1877. He returned to Princeton as a professor of English literature, a post that he held from 1899 - 1923 but it was not without interruption. From 1908–09 Dr. van Dyke was an American lecturer at the University of Paris. And in 1913 his former classmate, President Wilson, appointed him Minister to the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

As a member of the clergy, Christmas and Easter were special holidays for Henry van Dyke. He wrote some popular Christmas stories including; The Other Wise Men, The First Christmas Tree, and Keeping Christmas. "

Henry van Dyke

 
There you have it.   This Christmas card shares a lovely sentiment for friends or loved ones.