My first is in children and also in care;

My second’s in hope and in homeless and share;

My third is in laughter, in present and strife;

My fourth’s in belief, in despair and in life;

My fifth is in festive, in sleep and in streets;

My sixth is in thanking, and trouble and treats;

My seventh’s in memories that grow with the years;

My eighth is in warmth, and in absence and tears;

My ninth is in stranger and shelter and smile;

I make up the season that’s here but a while

Of goodwill to all men, those we do - and don’t - know:

May you give and receive love wherever you go.