Medley: The Holly and the Ivy / Traditions of Christmas

It was the Christmas of 1941 America and the entire world was at war Now not long ago Christmas Eve President Roosevelt was taking part in the annual lighting of the White House Christmas tree After the President's short Christmas speech He asked his guest Great Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill To say a few words to the American people And this Christmas Eve Churchill words still serve to illuminate our path And perhaps to shine even more brightly today This is a strange Christmas Eve Almost the whole world is locked in a deadly struggle Armed with the most terrible weapons which science can devise The nation's advance upon each other Ill would it be for us this Christmas tide If we were not sure that no greed for the lands Or wealth of any other people No vulgar ambitions, no morbid lusts For material gain at the expense of others Had led us to the field of battle Ill would it be for us if that were so Here in the midst of war Raging and roaring over all the lands and seas Sweeping nearer to our hearts and homes We have tonight the Peace of the Spirit in each home And in every generous heart Therefore, we may cast aside for this night at least The cares and dangers which beset us And we make for the children an evening of happiness In a world of storm So let the children have their night of fun and laughter Let the gifts of Father Christmas to light their play Let us grownups share to the fall and their unstinted pleasures Before we turn again to the stern tasks And the formidable years that lie before us Resolved that by our sacrifice and daring These same children shall not be robbed of their inheritance Or denied their right to live in a free and decent world Sir Winston Churchill Christmas Eve 1941