On The Morning of Christ's Nativity

by John Milton in 1629

Christmas Poetry

I 

On the Morning of Christ's Nativity
This is the month, and this the happy morn 
Wherein the Son of Heav'n's eternal King, Of wedded Maid, and Virgin Mother born, 
Our great redemption from above did bring; 
For so the holy sages once did sing, 
That he our deadly forfeit should release, 
And with his Father work us a perpetual peace.

II 

That glorious Form, that Light unsufferable, 
And that far-beaming blaze of Majesty, 
Wherewith he wont at Heav'n's high council-table, 
To sit the midst of Trinal Unity, 
He laid aside, and here with us to be, 
Forsook the courts of everlasting day, 
And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay.

III 

Say Heav'nly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein 
Afford a present to the Infant God? 
Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain, 
To welcome him to this his new abode, 
Now while the heav'n, by the Sun's team untrod, 
Hath took no print of the approaching light, 
And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons bright?

IV 

See how from far upon the eastern road 
The star-led wizards haste with odours sweet: 
O run, prevent them with thy humble ode, 
And lay it lowly at his blessed feet; 
Have thou the honour first thy Lord to greet, 
And join thy voice unto the angel quire, 
From out his secret altar touched with hallowed fire.

John Milton was born in England.  
He lived from 1608-1674, was educated at Christ College in Cambridge.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.    Jude 1:24-25

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