Eleanor Farjeon wrote one of my favorite Advent hymns, People Look East. She also wrote a poem called “Hallowe’en,” which is well known in certain circles for having been the source of the title of chapter eight of Watchmen. “Old Ghosts.”

In the Week When Christmas Comes

This is the week when Christmas comes.

Let every pudding burst with plums,
And every tree bear dolls and drums,
   In the week when Christmas comes.

Let every hall have boughs of green,
With berries glowing in between,
   In the week when Christmas comes.

Let every doorstep have a song
Sounding the dark street along,
   In the week when Christmas comes.

Let every steeple ring a bell
With a joyful tale to tell,
   In the week when Christmas comes.

Let every night put forth a star
To show us where the heavens are,
   In the week when Christmas comes.

Let every stable have a lamb,
Sleeping warm beside its dam,
   In the week when Christmas comes.

This is the week when Christmas comes.

Eleanor Farjeon (1881 – 1965)

Previous Advent posts:

2003: Christmas Trees
2004: Her First Christmas Tree. And Lightning in Her Hands!
2005: The Season's Best Wishes
2006: A Christmas Poem
2007: Pen Box with Scenes from Life of Bahram Gur and the Madonna and Child
2008: Happy Hanukkah