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