CMP Review 2025-12-26

December 26, 2025

In 1898, Emeline Steinthal asked G.K. Chesterton to write something to include in the Christmas issue of Aunt Mai’s Budget (the tear out children’s section of the Parents’ Review). She wrote “Instead of a card, I have asked a great friend if he will write, especially for you, a Christmas hymn, which we hope you will learn by heart. Your loving, very loving, Auntie Mai.”

The Song of the Children

This is our world till sunset—

Holly and fire and snow,

And the name of our dead brother,

That loved us long ago.

The grown folk, mighty and cunning,

They write his name in gold;

But we remember a little

Of the million tales he told.

He taught them laws and watchwords,

To strive and parley and pray;

But he taught us, deep in the hay-field,

The games that the angels play.

Had he dwelt for ever amongst us,

Their world had been wise as ours,

And the kings be cutting capers,

And the priests be picking flowers.

But the dark day came: they gathered,

In their faces we could see

They had taken and slain our brother,

And hanged him upon a tree.

Gilbert Chesterton

@antonella.f.greco