Poetry · Chapter
Christmas Day, 1850 explained
The poet reflects on the beauty of Christmas Day, struggling to compose a worthy tale of love and nobleness that matches the sweetness of the day.
What happens
The poet reflects on the beauty of Christmas Day, struggling to compose a worthy tale of love and nobleness that matches the sweetness of the day. Ultimately, he finds the perfect story in the birth of Jesus Christ, who came as a Brother and Saviour, Mary's child, bringing joy and blessing to Earth.
Themes in this chapter
Love as Ultimate Strength
The chapter seeks a tale of love and nobleness to express the sweetness of Christmas, culminating in the love embodied by Christ's birth.
Redemption and Grace
The birth of Jesus as a Saviour brings grace and joy, redeeming the winter pale with divine light.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
Celebrated as the Brother and Saviour born on Christmas Day, the central figure of the chapter's praise.
- Mother Mary
Referenced as Mary, the mother of the child Jesus, in the closing line.
Key passages
“Beautiful stories wed with lovely days Like words and music:—what shall be the tale Of love and nobleness that might avail To express in action what this sweetness says—”
Beautiful stories are perfectly matched with lovely days, just as words fit with music. What story of love and nobility could possibly capture in deeds the sweetness this day expresses?
The poet opens by pondering how to find a story worthy of the beauty of Christmas Day.
“Thou hast, thou hast one—set, and sure to chime With thee, as with the days of “winter wild;” For Joy like Sorrow loves his blessed feet Who shone from Heaven on Earth this Christmas-time A Brother and a Saviour, Mary’s child!—”
You do have a story, one that is fixed and certain to harmonize with you, just as it does with the wild winter days. For both Joy and Sorrow love the blessed feet of the one who shone from Heaven to Earth this Christmas—a Brother and a Saviour, the child of Mary!
The poet concludes that the nativity of Jesus is the perfect story for Christmas, bringing joy even to sorrow.