Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser’s “Christmas Eve” delves into the layered complexities of identity, tradition, and the solemn anticipation that marks the Christmas season. The poem interweaves personal reflection with universal themes of birth, faith, and foreboding, as seen through the eyes of a child. Through its rich imagery and thoughtful narrative, Rukeyser invites readers to ponder the deeper significance of Christmas beyond the familiar celebrations.

The poem begins with the "secret child" walking down a wintry street, setting a scene that is both serene and charged with significance: “The secret child walks down the street / of the year’s winter black and white.” The child, embodying innocence and curiosity, is juxtaposed against the starkness of winter, suggesting a journey of discovery and contemplation. The evening sky is described with vibrant imagery: “while evening flames, blue-green and high— / the smooth face turns in the snow-smooth street / to lights, star-bubbles, the dark tree, / the giant star in the sacred sky.” This celestial imagery evokes the ethereal beauty of the season and the mystical allure of the Christmas star.

Rukeyser then introduces the traditional Christmas narrative, woven into the fabric of the street scene: “Children behind their windows sing / a cradle, a birth, the pilgrim kings, / praising the still and wild.” The juxtaposition of the “still and wild” encapsulates the duality of Christmas as a time of peaceful reflection and joyous celebration. The children's songs, praising the nativity, reflect the communal and timeless aspect of the holiday.

The poem's tone shifts as it addresses the profound and painful aspects of the Christmas story: “They praise the face, the quickening, / the various joy, the wound! They sing / a new prophetic child.” The inclusion of “the wound” amidst the joy highlights the underlying themes of sacrifice and redemption central to the Christian narrative. This acknowledgment of suffering within the context of celebration adds depth and complexity to the portrayal of Christmas.

Rukeyser continues with the imagery of a voice emerging “out of the street, out of the spire,” representing the proclamation of the Christmas story through various mediums: “a slow voice, radio or king, / begins above the mystery.” This voice speaks of “pain and sweetness, pain and fire,” again emphasizing the dual nature of the Christmas story, where joy and suffering are intertwined.

The poem’s focus returns to the secret child, who observes the festive yet solemn atmosphere with a sense of wonder and contemplation: “The secret child walks down the street / of needle-dark December smells. / She walks with wonder everywhere.” This depiction of the child wandering through the festive streets, pondering the deeper meanings of the season, evokes a sense of introspective journey.

A crucial moment in the poem occurs when the child reflects on her own identity in relation to the Christian narrative: “But I,” she says, “I am a child / of Jews—” Says, “This is Christianland / and things are otherwise.” Here, Rukeyser touches on themes of religious and cultural identity, as the child grapples with her place within the broader narrative of the season. This self-awareness introduces a poignant tension between the inclusive joy of Christmas and the exclusive nature of religious tradition.

The poem concludes with a contemplation of the past and future, acknowledging the inevitable suffering intertwined with the joy of the season: “Sure of the birth then, the people all went to sleep. / But the child was awake, and grieved for the time ahead, / awake all night, watching the land and the sky.” The child’s wakefulness symbolizes a deeper awareness and an enduring sense of vigilance, contemplating the complexities of the world and the weight of historical suffering.

Rukeyser’s “Christmas Eve” masterfully balances the wonder and solemnity of the season, weaving personal reflection with universal themes. Through the eyes of the secret child, the poem explores the intricate interplay of identity, tradition, and the enduring human spirit that finds both joy and sorrow in the profound mysteries of life.

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