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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE CHRISTMAS SYMBOL by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "ONLY A MANGER, COLD AND BARE"
Last Line: AND KING OF EARTH AND HEAVEN
Subject(s): CHRISTMAS; "NATIVITY, THE;"

Only a manger, cold and bare,
Only a maiden mild,
Only some shepherds kneeling there,
Watching a little Child;
And yet that maiden's arms enfold
The King of Heaven above;
And in the Christ-Child we behold
The Lord of Life and Love.

Only an altar high and fair,
Only a white-robed priest,
Only Christ's children kneeling there
Keeping the Christmas feast;
And yet beneath the outward sign The inward Grace is given,—
His Presence, who is Lord Divine
And King of earth and heaven.



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