323 - Ode For Christmas Day

Ode For Christmas Day
By Hugh Stevenson Tigner

I

The cock crew as before,
Not any less or more
Than the usual score.
The sun came up the same
Familiar disc of flame.
On the first Christmas morn
There was nothing stranger
Than a babe, newly born,
Lying in a manger.

II

No lightning and thunder
Or tearing asunder;
Only quiet wonder
Prevailed. No regal call
Gave summons to the stall,
No one waved a banner.
Who knew the mystery
That God in this manner
Would enter history?

III

A choice of form so meek
Seemed most unlordly weak;
And to the thoughtful Greek
Deity would not bend
Down to the dust or lend
Himself to servant's part.
The word, Incarnation,
Raised in the mind and heart
Scoffing protestation.

IV

A visit from the Lord
(So the official word)
Would bring a fiery sword:
"Messiah comes to smite,
Not to plead or invite;
The wicked he will slay,
Smelt the undeserving,
Hew to the iron way
Of judgment unswerving."

V

The heresy still shocks,
While the humbleness mocks
Our world's most vaunted stocks:
God was unorthodox.
High priest, noble, king,
Those to whom honors cling,
Were cleanly omitted:
Gainst eagle, lion, fox,
Dove and lamb were pitted.

VI

The point is hard to take
Into our minds and make
Policy that will shake
Old custom. To receive
A new spirit, believe
Love is the basic force
Seeking to mend the broken-
This bewilders our course.
Thus Christmas has spoken.