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