# The Grace of Grace explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by George MacDonald.

## What happens

The speaker reflects on the unattainable grace found in wisdom, childhood innocence, and pure love, ultimately recognizing that divine grace—embodied by the Lord—is the only grace that truly matters and is freely offered.

## Themes in this chapter

### Redemption and Grace

The poem centers on the concept of grace—humanly unattainable yet freely offered by the divine.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who longs for grace from various sources and finally turns to the Lord.

### Lord

The 'Lord of glory' who knocks at the door and whose divine grace is all-sufficient.

## Key lines

> Had I the grace to win the grace Of some old man in lore complete, My face would worship at his face, And I sit lowly at his feet.

If I could earn the favor of a wise elder, I would humbly revere and learn from him.

_The speaker expresses a desire for the grace that comes from venerable wisdom._

> A grace I had no grace to win Knocks now at my half open door: Ah, Lord of glory, come thou in!⁠— Thy grace divine is all, and more.

A grace I could never earn is now knocking at my door; I invite the Lord of glory to enter, for His divine grace surpasses all.

_The climax reveals that divine grace is a gift, not a reward, and is infinitely greater than any human grace._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-grace-of-grace
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters