# Christmas, 1873 explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by George MacDonald.

## What happens

A meditation on the enduring nature of Christmas, contrasting the innocence of children with the aging and disillusionment of adults, and calling upon Jesus to restore childlike faith and gather children to his heart.

## Themes in this chapter

### Childhood and Innocence

Children are portrayed as sages who cure oldness and preserve the bloom of Christmas across ages.

### Redemption and Grace

The poem appeals to Jesus to send his birth into souls, bringing renewal and grace to a world growing old and unbelieving.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

Invoked as the eternal child with the perfect father, asked to drive age from parents' hearts and gather children.

### God

Referenced in the closing line as the recipient of glory.

## Key lines

> Children only are the sages!

Only children possess true wisdom.

_Highlights the theme of childhood innocence as a source of spiritual insight._

> Child, whose childhood ne’er departs! Jesus, with the perfect father!

Eternal child Jesus, who has the perfect father.

_Directly addresses Jesus as the embodiment of perpetual childhood and divine fatherhood._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/christmas-1873
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters