A holy heavenly chime Rings fulness in of time, And on His Mother's breast Our Lord God ever-Blest Is laid a Babe at rest. Stoop, Spirits unused to stoop, Swoop, Angels, flying swoop, Adoring as you gaze, Uplifting hymns of praise: -- 'Grace to the Full of Grace!' The cave is cold and strait To hold the angelic state: More strait it is, more cold, To foster and infold Its Maker one hour old. Thrilled through with awestruck love, Meek Angels poised above, To see their God, look down: 'What, is there never a Crown For Him in swaddled gown? 'How comes He soft and weak With such a tender cheek, With such a soft small hand? -- The very Hand which spann'd Heaven when its girth was plann'd. 'How comes He with a voice Which is but baby-noise? -- That Voice which spake with might "Let there be light" -- and light Sprang out before our sight. 'What need hath He of flesh Made flawless now afresh? What need of human heart? -- Heart that must bleed and smart, Choosing the better part. 'But see: His gracious smile Dismisses us a while To serve Him in His kin. Haste we, make haste, begin To fetch His brethren in.' Like stars they flash and shoot, The Shepherds they salute: 'Glory to God' they sing: 'Good news of peace we bring, For Christ is born a King.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...YOUTH by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON IN THE LAND WHERE WE WERE DREAMING by DANIEL BEDINGER LUCAS LOCHABER NO MORE by ALLAN RAMSAY LOVE SONG by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS THE EUMENIDES: THE FURIES' PRAYER by AESCHYLUS UNSOPHISTICATED WISHES, BY MISS JEMINA INGOLDSBY, AGED 15 by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM A THRESHER OF WHEAT TO THE WYNDES by JOACHIM DU BELLAY |