Ode to the Christ Child

Read this inspiring short poem from contributing poet, Dan Doyle. With such clarity and simplicity, Dan brings us back to that miraculous night two millennia ago…

[content-ad]

Ode to the Christ Child: A Christmas Poem

I

On a cold night

two millennia ago,

a little Child was born

in a land far off,

under the brilliance

of a solitary star,

Who would turn the world

up-side-down.

By this little one’s gracious

and holy coming

all of time would stop

and begin again.

This pure and holy child,

born that, cold, wintry night,

would grow to a man,

be crucified on a cross

for the sake of all our sins,

for Love, for the sake of a Love

far beyond our mortal ken.

II

On this night each dark

and snowy year,

our Savior is born

and the Angels gather

In the heavens above

to greet him with a joy unbound!

And here below, we simple folk,

we wise men from far off lands,

who have followed that faithful star

without hesitation, without words,

still come to greet him

in this manger cold and bare,

knowing that this one

Is The One

for whom we’ve waited

with undaunted, and in pious hope

throughout the tumultuous years.

III

This night is holy and

this place of his birth

is simple and warm;

a manger in a cave

behind a rustic inn.

His mother, Mary,

serenely attends to him,

with a simple grace.

His father Joseph

stands in the shadows

quiet with holy awe.

In the chill of this silent, winter’s night,

beneath a black and starry sky,

the King of Kings lets go of majesty

to enter this dusty plain below

the child of poor parents,

destined to be rejected

by the ignorant,

despised by the great,

who, despite his birth,

will embrace the entire earth.

And the Angels on high

Sing in joyous tones,

“Come, all ye faithful!

Come in adoration,

for here, in a simple manger,

lies the One who will

Set you free.”

“Glory to God in the highest,

And Peace to all of good will.

Your Saviour has come!

Glory to God, forever!”

Amen! And Amen!