Sonnet on the Nativity
ALL HAIL Immanuel, who once did reign
In matchless splendor at the Father’s side,
With Him, Creator of the wind and tide--
Exalted in the angels’ joyous strain!
Yet how can it be, Lord, that Thou shouldst deign
Thy glory in a mortal frame to hide?
Why dost Thou with the lowing ox abide,
Thy royal bed a manger, rough and plain?
'Twas love which did Thee, gracious King, impel
With feeble flesh to veil Thy Deity,
In lowly birth to come, on earth to dwell,
That Thou for us the Paschal Lamb might be.
Oh, teach us, then, our selfish thoughts to quell
That we, O Holy One, might love like Thee!
Image: "The Adoration of the Shepherds" by Giorgi0ne, from Wikimedia Commons