# The Christmas Child explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by George MacDonald.

## What happens

A short poem in which a speaker questions a child who has come from heaven about the Father there, and the child responds that the Father is just like him, promising that those who do His will will see both home and the Father.

## Themes in this chapter

### Divine Fatherhood

The child describes the Father in heaven as being 'such a one as I,' emphasizing the intimate, familial relationship between God and Jesus, and by extension, humanity.

### Childhood and Innocence

The Christmas child, a 'little one' from heaven, embodies purity and simplicity, and the promise of seeing the Father is tied to childlike obedience.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

The 'little one' who has come down the heavenly stair, identified as the Christmas child, reflecting the incarnation.

### God

The 'father there' in heaven, described as being like the child, indicating the divine Fatherhood.

## Key lines

> Little one, who straight hast come Down the heavenly stair, Tell us all about your home, And the father there.

Child who has just descended directly from heaven, tell us about your home and the Father who lives there.

_The speaker addresses the infant Jesus, asking for revelation about the divine realm._

> He is such a one as I, Like as like can be. Do his will, and, by and by, Home and him you’ll see.

The Father is exactly like me, identical in nature. If you obey His will, eventually you will see both Him and your heavenly home.

_The child Jesus explains the unity between himself and the Father, and the promise of eternal life for those who follow God's will._

## Links

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