This song is one of dozens — maybe hundreds — of songs tossed off by general board members of the various auxiliaries for use in Primary programs, Sunday School lessons, and MIA and Relief Society celebrations. Some, like class songs, were intended to be used from year to year until a program changed; others, like this one that appeared in the Children’s Friend of December 1937, were probably meant for one-time use.

Hazel S. Washburn (whom I have been unable as yet to fully identify — Justin??) wrote poems that appeared in several of the church magazines in the early 20th century. Nephi Lorenzo Mitchell (1889-1968), an Englishman by birth and a resident of Davis County, Utah, for most of his adult life, served on various church music committees and was a teacher of music in the Utah schools. Perhaps his best remembered music is that composed for the Tooth Bugs song.

O Christmas is coming, hark! hear the bells ring,
Such wonderful mem’ries their joy chimings bring,
Of packs full of treasure, of stockings hung high,
Of Santa’s eight reindeers, of stars in the sky,

Of good boys and girls and their joy when they find;
The many fine gifts that St. Nick leaves behind!
They whisper so softly of the first Christmas night,
Of Joseph and Mary, the stars that shone bright.

O Christmas is coming, hark! hear the bells ring,
Such wonderful mem’ries that joy chimings bring,
The gift father gave us, that dear baby boy,
When angels sang sweetly of peace and great joy.