Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993) spent 52 years at Marble Collegiate Church and was one of New York City’s most famous preachers. Peale wrote in a newspaper column published on December 21, 1954:
 
“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. If only for one short day, ill will is set aside, and the effect is miraculous. Everyone is happy.”
 
Peale’s quotation has been printed on many images.
     
   
Wikipedia: Norman Vincent Peale
Norman Vincent Peale (May 31, 1898 – December 24, 1993) was an American minister and author (most notably of The Power of Positive Thinking) and a progenitor of “positive thinking”. His ideas were not accepted by mental health experts.
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Raised as a Methodist and ordained as a Methodist minister in 1922, Peale changed his religious affiliation to the Reformed Church in America in 1932 and began a 52-year tenure as pastor of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City. During that time the church’s membership grew from about 600 to over 5,000, and he became one of New York City’s most famous preachers.
 
21 December 1954, The Daily Herald (Circleville, OH), pg. 8, col. 3:
A Thought for CHRISTMAS
By Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
Pastor, Marble Collegiate Church, New York
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. If only for one short day, ill will is set aside, and the effect is miraculous. Everyone is happy.
 
Google Books
The Legend of the Candy Cane
By Carole Marsh
Gallopade International
2003
Back cover:
“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” -Norman Vincent Peale
 
Google Books
Christmas:
Decorations, Feasts, Gifts, Traditions
By David Baird
London: MQP
2005
Pg. 341:
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
Norman Vincent Peale
 
Google Books
Everything Cryptograms Book:
Fun And Imaginative Puzzles For The Avid Decoder
By Nikki Katz
Avon, MA: Adams Media
2005
Pg. 45:
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. — Norman Vincent Peale
 
Google Books
A Very New York Christmas
By Michael Storrings  
New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press
2008
Pg. 42:
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful —Norman Vincent Peale. American clergyman and author, circa 1968
 
Google Books
A Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas
By Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
Cos Cob, CT: Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC
2012
Pg. ?:
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
Norman Vincent Peale
 
Google Books
Christmas Blessings:
Prayers and Poems to Celebrate the Season
By June Cotner
Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing
2015
Pg. ?:
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. —NORMAN VINCENT PEALE