35 Christmas Quotes To Raise Your Holiday Spirits

It is the season of giving and, in this post, we’re going to give you some help getting in the holiday spirit with some great Christmas quotes.

Christmas is a special time all over the world, where people gather together with friends and loved ones to exchange gifts, decorate their homes, and eat special meals. It’s also a time of reflection, in which people are reminded that to love each other and be kind are the real greatest gifts that we can give each other.

As we start to celebrate this most wonderful time of the year, here are a few great Christmas quotes that will really help you get into the Christmas spirit.

9 Inspirational Christmas Quotes From Religious Leaders

While celebrating Christmas may no longer be something only Christians enjoy, we shouldn’t forget that it originated from the need to celebrate the birth of the Christian savior, Jesus Christ.

Christmas didn’t start out as a fun holiday but rather as a holy day, so it’s not surprising that many important religious figures have some inspirational thoughts on the meaning of Christmas.

1. God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If He gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it. 

This quote about Christmas from the current Pope, Pope Francis, reminds us that it is Christmas itself that is the greatest gift we will receive during this season

2. Mankind is a great, an immense family... This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas.

Pope John XXIII would like us to remember that Christmas is all about family. With this quote, he’s encouraging us to look beyond our immediate family and remember that all of humanity is our brothers and sisters.

3. Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

Norman Vincent Peale was an American minister who became popular as an author of the best-seller, “The Power of Positive Thinking”. He shares this positive thought about the wonder of the Christmas season.

4. Love the giver more than the gift.

One of the most influential religious leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Brigham Young issues this reminder about the true spirit of giving during Christmas.

5. He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.

Roy L. Smith is an American clergyman with the Methodist Church. He is also a published author and editor, writing syndicated columns in the newspapers and a series of influential religious books. He has this wise reminder about what is really important during Christmas. Not the trimming and décor, but what it in your heart.

6. The world has grown weary through the years, but at Christmas, it is young.

Of all the religious leaders on this list, American Episcopal clergyman Phillips Brooks is probably the one who is most associated with the holiday. He is the lyricist of the popular Christmas carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem”. He is also known for this hopeful view of the Christmas season.

7. Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.  

Ruth Carter Stapleton was a Christian evangelist who was also the sister of former US President Jimmy Carter. She has this inspiring quote about the true meaning of Christmas.

8. Your children need your presence more than your presents.

Sure, children eagerly wait for “Santa Claus” to visit but, as Rev. Jesse Jackson, points out the true joy on Christmas morning comes from family togetherness. 

9. It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving. 

Mother Theresa is known for being selfless, so it’s not that surprising to hear her say that the intent behind a Christmas gift matters more than the gift itself. 

4 Thoughtful Christmas Quotes From Influential Politicians

The best of the world’s politicians know that their job isn’t just to consolidate power but to lead and inspire people. 

These politicians below have some great thoughts on how the Christmas holidays can inspire everyone to be their best selves and live their best lives.  

1. Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.

Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States, was nicknamed “Silent Cal”, because while he was capable of a good public speaker, he was known to be a naturally quiet person in private. He does, however, have some fine and stirring words to say about Christmas.

2. Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was nicknamed “The Iron Lady”. But, as you can see from her quote above, she had a soft spot for the Christmas holidays as it gave her the chance to spend quality time with those dear to her.

3. A good conscience is a continual Christmas.

United States Founding Father Benjamin Franklin was also known for his scientific endeavors and wise sayings. He has this piece of advice on how to capture the special feeling of Christmas all year round.

4. Christmas gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the important things around us. 

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron urges people to think of Christmas not just as a time for gift-giving but also for reflection on the things we are already blessed to possess. 

17 Wise And Witty Christmas Quotes From Authors, Poets, and Essayists 

Writers make a living communicating and describing events as well as thoughts and feelings in their work. It’s not surprising that a lot of the best Christmas quotes can be traced back to those who write for a living.

1. Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.

American essayist Hamilton Wright Mabie had this to say about the true meaning of Christmas around the world.

2. At Christmas, all roads lead home.

Christian author and columnist Marjorie Holmes talk about one of the greatest joys of the Christmas season, going home to family and friends.

3. Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality. 

Washington Irving may be more associated with Halloween, he did write the “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and create the Headless Horseman, but he shows a fine appreciation for the cozy warmth of the Christmas season in this quote.  

4. Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.

Charles M. Schulz is known for his wise and witty “Peanut” comics, which spawned the animated Christmas special “A Charlie Brown Christmas”.  Here is what he has to say about the true meaning of Christmas. 

5. Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.

Dr. Seuss was the author of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and he knew that nothing could really “steal” Christmas from those who realized it was more than gifts and decorations.

6. Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.

This quote comes from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and short story writer Edna Ferber. 

7. Christmas is not a date. It’s a state of mind.

Similar sentiments from Ferber come from the American educator and author, Mary Ellen Chase

8.  Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.

 

Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote about growing up in a frontier family where hardships were often only overcome by love, looked forward to Christmas. Though the Wilder family Christmas celebrations were rather Spartan compared to modern-day celebrations, they were always filled with love and laughter.

9. Christmas is a tonic for our souls. It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves. It directs our thoughts to giving.

B.C. Forbes was a financial journalist who founded the business magazine, Forbes. That “serious” background doesn’t mean he couldn’t wax poetical about the joys of Christmas, as you can see from the quote above.  

10. Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.

Eric Sevareid was an American author who made a name for himself as a war correspondent during World War II. Perhaps it was his experiences as a war correspondent that gave him such an appreciation of the hope and peace that the Christmas season brings. 

11. Peace on earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day.

Helen Steiner Rice was known for her inspirational Christian poetry. She had these inspirational and hopeful words to describe the magic of the Christmas season. 

12. What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.

Agnes M. Pahro

13. A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.

Author, essayist, and radio personality Garrison Keillor had this to say about Christmas in his book “Leaving Home”.

14. There's nothing cozier than a Christmas tree all lit up.

There will be very few people who will disagree with author Jenny Hans’s thoughts about seeing a Christmas tree.

15. Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.

American humorist Peg Bracken has written several cookbooks, so she does have some experience in knowing the “right” ingredients to put in a dish. As we can see from the quote above, she’s also keenly aware of the “ingredients” that are needed for a good Christmas celebration.

16. Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.

American author Richelle E. Goodrich perfectly captures the sweetness of the holiday season with this quote.

17. Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy; who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift that he bestows. 

Edwin Osgood Grover sums up the real magic of Santa Claus with this quote about the importance of generosity during Christmas.

5 Great Christmas Quotes From Famous Entertainers

Finally, let’s look at a few more great Christmas quotes from some beloved stars of the big and small screen. 

1. I don’t think Christmas is necessarily about things. It’s about being good to one another. 

The actress Carrie Fisher, is beloved as the princess turned general, Leia in the Star Wars trilogy. She had these wise words to say about Christmas.

2. My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?

American comedian Bob Hope believes that Christmas is a wonderful holiday, but raises a good point about how we can extend the feeling of Christmas year-round.

3. Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas. 

Some words of wisdom from actress, singer, and entertainer, Dale Evans Rogers. She’s also the wife and the on-screen partner of Roy Rogers. 

4. Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it ‘white’

Singer, actor, and all-around entertainer Bing Crosby may have made the Christmas carol “White Christmas” famous, but he knew that it was more than just the “trimmings” that really made Christmas a special time.

5. Christmas is a time when everybody wants his past forgotten and his present remembered. 

Comedienne Phyllis Diller had this to say about Christmas. She may be right, after all, all of us want to make happy memories during the season.