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70 Best Christmas Quotes That Capture the Warmth of the Holiday

However you celebrate, let these Christmas quotes warm your heart and remind you of the true spirit of the season.

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Christmas quotes that fill you with holiday spirit

Christmas is a holiday that has inspired plenty of art and entertainment, including some of our favorite books, movies, and songs. This joyous holiday has also inspired people to reflect on what it means and how it’s celebrated. As such, we have plenty of Christmas quotes that truly capture the essence of the season and how we feel about it.

If you’re looking for just the right words to express how you feel about Christmas, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up some of the best Christmas quotes to share around the holidays—you can even use them as lovely Christmas wishes to write in your Christmas cards to loved ones. If you’re looking for other quotes to include, check out these Christmas movie quotes for inspiration (you could also use them as fun Christmas captions for your Instagram pictures).

"Freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin—inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night." —John J. Geddesrd.com, Getty Images

“Freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin—inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night.”—John J. Geddes. Check out these Christmas tree ideas that are sure to make your home merry and bright.

"A holiday is an opportunity to journey within." —Prabhasrd.com, Getty Images

“A holiday is an opportunity to journey within.”—Prabhas. This is a great quote to keep in mind when participating in fun Christmas activities.

"I like to compare the holiday season with the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure is in the familiar way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it takes, the familiar moments of suspense, and the familiar climax and ending."—Fred Rogersrd.com, Getty Images

“I like to compare the holiday season with the way a child listens to a favorite story. The pleasure is in the familiar way the story begins, the anticipation of familiar turns it takes, the familiar moments of suspense, and the familiar climax and ending.”—Fred Rogers. The holiday season is a great time to reflect on what you’re grateful for (like the ability to do your favorite Christmas traditions).

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." —Hamilton Wright Mabierd.com, Getty Images

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”—Hamilton Wright Mabie. This is a wonderful Christmas quote and love quote to remember year-round.

"It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you." —Saint Teresa of Calcuttard.com, Getty Images

“It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you.”—Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Read more religious Christmas quotes that capture the spirit of the holiday.

"Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts." —Janice Maeditererd.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.”—Janice Maeditere. This is a truly uplifting quote that will stay with you long after the holidays pass.

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." —Buddy the Elfrd.com, Getty Images

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”—Buddy the Elf. A lovely quote from a funny Christmas movie!

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." —Norman Vincent Pealerd.com, Getty Images

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”—Norman Vincent Peale

"Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing, but of reflection." —Winston Churchillrd.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing, but of reflection.”—Winston Churchill

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace." —Agnes Mae Pharord.com, Getty Images

“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.”—Agnes Mae Pharo

"At Christmas, all roads lead home." —Marjorie Holmesrd.com, Getty Images

“At Christmas, all roads lead home.”—Marjorie Holmes

Clement Clarke Moore Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“T’was the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”—Clement Clarke Moore

Roy L. Smith Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”—Roy L. Smith. Share a few laughs this holiday with these hilarious Christmas jokes, Christmas puns, and Christmas memes.

Charles Dickens Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”—Charles Dickens

Alexander Smith Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is the day that holds all time together.”—Alexander Smith

Dale Evans Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.”—Dale Evans

Bob Hope Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”—Bob Hope

Andy Rooney Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.”—Andy Rooney

Mary Ellen Chase Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind.”—Mary Ellen Chase

Washington Irving Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.”—Washington Irving

Eric Sevareid Christmas Warmth QuoteRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.”—Eric Sevareid

Mo Rocca Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is a stocking stuffed with sugary goodness.”—Mo Rocca

Richard Paul Evans Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“The smells of Christmas are the smells of childhood!”—Richard Paul Evans

Lauren Myracle Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is never over, unless you want it to be…Christmas is a state of mind.”—Lauren Myracle

Charles M. Schulz Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.”—Charles M. Schulz

Garry Moore Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is, of course, the time to be home—in heart as well as body.”—Garry Moore

Helen Steiner Rice Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day.”—Helen Steiner Rice

Dr. Seuss Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn’t come from a store.”—Dr. Seuss

Kevin Alan Milne Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas magic is silent. You don’t hear it—you feel it, you know it, you believe it.”—Kevin Alan Milne

Stephen Graham Jones Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Some people are born for Halloween, and some are just counting the days until Christmas.”—Stephen Graham Jones

Ruth Carter Stapleton Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.”—Ruth Carter Stapleton

Peg Bracken Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.”—Peg Bracken

Henry David Thoreau Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.”—Henry David Thoreau

Robert Louis Stevenson Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.”—Robert Louis Stevenson

Bill Vaughan Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”—Bill Vaughan

William Jewett Tucker Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home.”—William Jewett Tucker

Charlotte Carpenter Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Remember, if Christmas isn’t found in your heart, you won’t find it under a tree.”—Charlotte Carpenter

Linda Willis Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“The true spirit of Christmas is love.”—Linda Willis

Calvin Coolidge Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind.”—Calvin Coolidge

Eric Sevareid Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas ought to be, Christmas is.”—Eric Sevareid

Mary Martin Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“We should try to hold on to the Christmas spirit, not just one day a year, but all 365.”—Mary Martin

Harlan Miller Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.”—Harlan Miller

William Thomas Ellis Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.”—William Thomas Ellis

Margaret Thatcher Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.”—Margaret Thatcher

B. C. Forbes Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves & directs our thoughts to giving.”—B. C. Forbes

Chris Van Allsburg Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.”—Chris Van Allsburg

Walter Scott Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Heap on more wood! The wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, we’ll keep our Christmas merry still.”—Walter Scott

Joan Mills Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is the keeping-place for memories of our innocence.”—Joan Mills

Grace Noll Crowell Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing.”—Grace Noll Crowell

John Lennon Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“And so this is Christmas…what have you done?”—John Lennon

Vera Nazarian Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“The nutcracker sits under the holiday tree, a guardian of childhood stories. Feed him walnuts and he will crack open a tale.”—Vera Nazarian

Gladys Taber Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas is a bridge. We need bridges as the river of time flows past. Today’s Christmas should mean creating happy hours for tomorrow and reliving those of yesterday.”—Gladys Taber

Dr. Seuss #2 Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.”—Dr. Seuss

Winston Churchill Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Let the children have their night of fun and laughter, let the gifts of Father Christmas delight their play. Let us grown-ups share to the full in their unstinted pleasures.”—Winston Churchill

Rosie Thomas Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas works like glue, it keeps us all sticking together.”—Rosie Thomas

Thomas Tusser Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“At Christmas play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year.”—Thomas Tusser

Helen Keller Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“The only blind person at Christmas time is he who has not Christmas in his heart.”—Helen Keller

Tobymac Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“I think Christmas is about celebration and come on, on the inside everyone wants to dance.”—TobyMac

Emily Matthews Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“From home to home and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth of joy Christmas brings us closer to each other.”—Emily Matthews

Richelle E. Goodrich Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas, when observed with the right spirit, still has the power to call miracles from Heaven to Earth.”—Richelle E. Goodrich

Adele Comandini Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“There are no strangers on Christmas Eve.”—Adele Comandini

Ralph Blane Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Have yourself a merry little Christmas, make the Yuletide gay.”—Ralph Blane

Eva K. Logue Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish, it grows small.”—Eva K. Logue

Carrie Latet Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Even as an adult, I still find it hard to sleep on Christmas Eve.”—Carrie Latet

Alfred The Great Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“The Christmas bells from hill to hill answer each other in the mist.”—Alfred the Great

Martin Freeman Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“I’ve always loved Christmas and that’s not really gone away from me from being a child to now. It’s always a magical time and I’m unashamed in my love for Christmas.”—Martin Freeman

Jenny Han Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“There’s nothing crazier than a Christmas tree all lit up.”—Jenny Han

Chris Van Allsburg #2 Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“The bell still rings for all who truly believe.”—Chris Van Allsburg

Toni Sorenson Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Don’t spoil Christmas Day by anticipating how it will be. Let is unfold as it does, and be grateful for whatever comes.”—Toni Sorenson

Helen Keller #2 Christmas Warmth QuotesRD.com, Getty Images

“Christmas Day is the festival of optimism.”—Helen Keller

Kelly Kuehn
Kelly Kuehn is an associate editor for Reader’s Digest covering entertainment, trivia and history. When she’s not writing you can find her watching the latest and greatest movies, listening to a true-crime podcast (or two), blasting ‘90s music and hiking with her dog, Ryker, throughout the Finger Lakes.