And so the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing!
To drive the dark away…
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us- listen!
All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,

And hope for peace.
-Susan Cooper