# Christmas-Day, 1878 explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by George MacDonald.

## What happens

The speaker reflects on the weariness of Christmas repeating year after year, but finds renewal in the daily presence of Christ, the Eternal Son, and expresses a longing to be born anew each day as a child of God.

## Themes in this chapter

### Divine Fatherhood

The poem emphasizes God as Father and Christ as the Eternal Son, with the speaker longing to be recognized as a child of God.

### Redemption and Grace

The speaker seeks new birth each day through Christ's presence, highlighting the theme of continual renewal and grace.

### Longing for Immortality

The speaker expresses a desire for eternal life and an end to the cycle of weariness, yearning for everlasting union with Christ.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who expresses weariness of the recurring Christmas day and finds renewal in Christ's daily presence.

### Jesus Christ

Addressed as the Lord of eternal life and the Eternal Son, whose daily coming brings new birth to the speaker.

### God

Referred to as the Father, with Christ as the Son, and the speaker as His child.

## Key lines

> I think I might be weary of this day That comes inevitably every year, The same when I was young and strong and gay, The same when I am old and growing sere⁠— I should grow weary of it every year But that thou comest to me every day.

I might be tired of this day that always returns, unchanged from my youth to my old age, except that you come to me daily.

_The speaker acknowledges the monotony of Christmas but finds solace in Christ's daily presence._

> Take everlasting house with me, my life, And I shall be new-born this Christmas-day.

Make your eternal home with me, my life, and I will be reborn this Christmas.

_A plea for Christ to dwell permanently within the speaker, leading to spiritual rebirth._

> Thou art the Eternal Son, and born no day, But ever he the Father, thou the Son; I am his child, but being born alway⁠— How long, O Lord, how long till it be done? Be thou from endless years to years the Son⁠— And I thy brother, new-born every day.

You are the eternal Son, not born on any single day, while the Father is always Father and you always Son. I am God's child, yet always being born—how long, Lord, until this is complete? May you be the Son forever, and I your brother, reborn each day.

_The speaker reflects on the eternal nature of Christ and the ongoing process of becoming a child of God, yearning for completion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/christmas-day-1878
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters