DECEMBER by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
December is a brief poem where the month of December comes to life, arriving last in the year on a goat, wearing a crown of holly, and holding a pine-cone staff.
The poem
Riding upon the Goat, with snow-white hair, I come, the last of all. This crown of mine Is of the holly; in my hand I bear The thyrsus, tipped with fragrant cones of pine. I celebrate the birth of the Divine, And the return of the Saturnian reign;-- My songs are carols sung at every shrine, Proclaiming "Peace on earth, good will to men."
December is a brief poem where the month of December comes to life, arriving last in the year on a goat, wearing a crown of holly, and holding a pine-cone staff. It merges the imagery from the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia with the Christian celebration of Christmas, suggesting that the spirit of midwinter joy transcends any one tradition. The poem concludes with the most well-known line from the Christmas story: "Peace on earth, good will to men."
Line-by-line
Riding upon the Goat, with snow-white hair, / I come, the last of all.
This crown of mine / Is of the holly; in my hand I bear / The thyrsus, tipped with fragrant cones of pine.
I celebrate the birth of the Divine, / And the return of the Saturnian reign;--
My songs are carols sung at every shrine, / Proclaiming 'Peace on earth, good will to men.'
Tone & mood
The tone is formal and festive, reminiscent of a herald delivering an important announcement. December conveys a sense of calm confidence—it’s not seeking approval to come; it’s simply proclaiming its presence. Beneath the formality lies warmth, particularly in the concluding line, but the prevailing mood is more ceremonial than inviting.
Symbols & metaphors
- The Goat — The goat symbolizes Capricorn, the zodiac sign that starts in late December. It grounds December in the natural calendar and gives the month a vivid, almost mythological presence.
- Holly crown — Holly is an evergreen that thrives during winter, serving as a lasting symbol of resilience and hope. When used as a crown, it also represents royalty — December is depicted as a seasonal king.
- The Thyrsus — The thyrsus, a staff topped with a pine cone, is associated with Bacchus and the festivities of Saturnalia. Longfellow uses it here to clearly show that he is blending pagan Roman traditions into what could otherwise be seen as a strictly Christian poem.
- Snow-white hair — White hair suggests old age, yet here it also represents snow. December embodies both the old (as the year's end) and the wintry look it brings.
- Carols at every shrine — The word 'every' carries significant weight here. Shrines are associated with various faiths. Longfellow employs this imagery to broaden December's message, making it relevant to all religions.
Historical context
This poem is one of twelve short pieces that Longfellow wrote to represent each month of the year, gathered in *The Poets Calendar* (published posthumously in 1882). Longfellow was creating his work during a time in mid-19th-century America when people were actively discussing the connection between classical education and Christian faith, and his poetry often sought to bridge the two. December falls at the crossroads of two significant festivals: the Roman Saturnalia (approximately December 17–23), a week filled with feasting, gift-giving, and social equality, and Christmas on December 25. Scholars have long pointed out that early Christians intentionally placed Christmas close to Saturnalia. As a Harvard professor who spoke multiple languages and had a deep understanding of classical literature, Longfellow was fully aware of this connection and used it to subtly advocate for a common human desire for light and generosity during the darkest time of the year.
FAQ
It’s a dramatic monologue where December talks directly to the reader. December describes how it looks—riding a goat, wearing a crown of holly, and holding a staff made of pine cones—and shares that it celebrates both Christmas and the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia. It wraps up with the angels' declaration of 'Peace on earth, good will to men.'
The goat symbolizes Capricorn, the zodiac sign that starts around December 22. Longfellow uses this imagery to anchor December in both the natural and astrological calendars, lending the month a mythological and almost divine quality.
A thyrsus is a staff topped with a pine cone, linked to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and festivity, and is carried by people during Saturnalia celebrations. Longfellow uses it to show that December's identity is deeply tied to pagan Roman traditions as well as Christianity.
It refers to Saturnalia, the Roman festival celebrated in mid-to-late December that honored a mythical golden age under the god Saturn—a period marked by peace, equality, and abundance. Longfellow aligns it with Christmas to imply that both festivals reflect a profound human desire for peace and joy during winter.
It originates from the Gospel of Luke (2:14), where angels sing to the shepherds at Jesus' birth. Longfellow uses it to capture the essence of December's message, and by placing it after mentions of pagan Saturnalia, he presents it as a universal human desire rather than just a Christian sentiment.
Yes. It is one of twelve short poems, each representing a month, gathered under the title *The Poets Calendar*. Each poem brings the month to life using imagery from nature, mythology, and the cultural significance of that time of year.
The poem consists of one eight-line stanza crafted in iambic pentameter, featuring an ABABCDCD rhyme scheme — basically, the first eight lines (the octave) of a Petrarchan sonnet. This structured form lends December's self-proclamation a sense of dignity and ceremony.
Longfellow was a Harvard professor with a rich knowledge of classical literature and world mythology. He thought that various cultures and religions frequently convey the same core human truths. By merging Saturnalia and Christmas, he suggests that the midwinter drive for light, generosity, and peace transcends individual traditions, reflecting a universal theme.