The Song of Christmas

Issued on Oct. 2, 1978, this large (142 mm x 160 mm) Christmas Island souvenir sheet (Scott #88) presents the words and music of "The Song of Christmas," also known as "C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S."

The lyrics were written by Jenny Lou Carson in 1949, set to music by Eddy Arnold:

C is for the Christ child, born upon this day

H is for the herald angels in the night

R means our redeemer

I means Israel

S is for the star that shone so bright

T is for three wise men, they who traveled far

M is for the manger where He lay

A's for all He stands for

S means shepherds came

And that's why there's a Christmas day.

Each stamp represents one letter in the word "Christmas," and corresponds to the appropriate line in the song.