THE night it was jewelled That gave Him birth, With the flight of small angels 'Twixt heaven and earth. They were babies rosy, Their heads soft-curled, They came seeking, small roses, The Rose of the World. Like a shower of starshine Or broken suns, They were rising and falling In millions. When they came to the stable Soft was their flight, Some Rose Tree in Heaven Shook down red and white. Soft as snows falling, They settled down, Clad the poor stable In a rosy gown; Clad the poor stable In gold and silk; Their wings and their shoulders Were white as milk. They peeped at the windows, Perched on the wall, Like birds in the autumn When the Southlands call. And who are these drifting As soft as snows, For little Christ Jesus His playfellows? They are hiding and peeping, Rosy and pale, From the stable's shadows And His Mother's veil. They are pushing and pressing By the window-sill; Between their wing-feathers They look their fill. There's rustling, and stealing Of feet and wings. Perched on the manger One softly sings. Come nearer, children, And see Him lie On the knees of His Mother So quietly! Come, all ye children, Nor fear the while The frown of His Mother; Nay,—see her smile! The flight of child-angels When He was born, Made the morn of Christmas A rosy morn. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN A MYRTLE SHADE by WILLIAM BLAKE PHANTOM by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE LITTLE ORPHANT ANNIE by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY THE MAYFLOWERS by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER FRAGMENTS INTENDED FOR DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: SACRIFICE SELF-COMPENSATED by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES FRAGMENTS INTENDED FOR DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: SORROW by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES |