Many find peace in the idea that there is a Christmas in Heaven that might be slightly different from the one on Earth. It's a comforting thought when facing a holiday season without a certain loved one who has passed on. These popular Christmas in Heaven poems inspire that peace and speak to the hope in our hearts that our loved one is having a merry Christmas in the afterlife.
Wanda Bencke's Christmas in Heaven Poem
As with many poems, this one was inspired by an emotional life event for the author. Over five days, while her daughter, Lysandra, was in a coma that stemmed from a seizure on Christmas day in 1997, Wanda Bencke wrote the poem Christmas in Heaven. The popularity of the poem took off as friends and family members shared it and the poem was copyrighted in 1999. Though Lysandra passed away, the poem helps her memory live on and brings others peace.
The poem begins:
"I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below,
With tiny lights like heaven's stars
Reflecting in the snow.
The sight is so spectacular
please wipe away that tear
for I am spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year."
Then the poem continues with several more stanzas and Bencke describes what the departed one sees of Earth from Heaven, and how serene and comforting it is.
The beauty of poetry is how it can speak differently to various people. You may not feel the same way the author does, but their words can still offer comfort as you experience those emotions.
Christmas in Heaven: What Do They Do? Poem by John F. Connor
John F. Connor is the author of the poem Christmas in Heaven: What Do They Do? This short poem is often used on keepsake items and asks that you save an empty chair for your lost loved ones on Christmas so their spirits may join you. The poem ends with the comforting lines "You may not see them/But they will be there."
Merry Christmas From Heaven Poem by John Mooney Jr.
In 1989 John Mooney, Jr. wrote the poem Merry Christmas From Heaven to help himself deal with the death of his mother. Now the poem is a staple for funerals that fall during the holiday season and keepsakes. This seven-stanza Christian poem opens with the lines:
"I still hear the songs
I still see the lights
I still feel the love on cold wintery nights."
It continues with encouragement and love for family members left behind, and ends with the lines:
"I love you all dearly
Now don't shed a tear
Cause I'm spending
My Christmas with Jesus this year."
Christmas in Heaven Poem by Kris Smith
Another take on how to celebrate Christmas with your lost loved ones in mind and see things from their perspective is found in the poem Christmas in Heaven by Kris Smith. This six-stanza rhyming poem starts from the family's perspective on acknowledging that someone is missing from the celebration:
"We've shared our hearts, full of Holiday Cheer
and shopped for presents for loved ones this year
The house is dressed up with garland and lights
That sparkle and shine through the Holiday nights
But even with all of this Holiday bliss
There's someone we lost that we terribly miss
And as this Christmas Day draws near
We wish with all of our hearts she was here."
The poem continues, but ends with a beautiful reflection on the gifts and memories the lost loved one has left behind: "As you gather together, I'm sure you'll find/The gifts deep within you that I left behind..."
How to Share Christmas in Heaven Poems
Celebrating Christmas after the loss of a loved one can be difficult, but taking the time to honor them and acknowledge their absence can help. Incorporating Christmas in Heaven poems, songs, or traditions into your typical holiday festivities is one way to cope with grief during the holidays.
- Add Christmas in Heaven poems to handmade Christmas cards you send to close friends and family members of the deceased.
- Volunteer to read a poem at church dedicated to all those who are celebrating Christmas in Heaven this year.
- Make or purchase a keepsake Christmas tree ornament or other Christmas decoration that includes a poem.
While grief poems can feel universal because so many of us have experienced loss, it's really important to be considerate of a person's beliefs when sharing a poem, quote, or any sentiment that has a religious nature. If you're not certain of their faith, consider sharing a more general poem about loss to show your love.
Find Heavenly Comfort This Christmas
For many, the hope of seeing a loved one again, and the idea that they are experiencing perfect peace after their passing can help loss feel more bearable. These poems can be comforting or encouraging when grieving a loss this Christmas.
