Christmas Day

 (Unknown Painter.  From Vanderbilt Divinity School Library,

Art in the Christian Tradition)

 In winter when the birds put down their flutes

And wind plays sharper than a fife upon the icy rain,

I sit in this crib,

And laugh like fire, and clap my golden hands:

To view my friends the timid beasts-

Their great brown flanks, muzzles and milky breath!

Therefore come, shepherds, from your rocky hill,

And bend about My crib in wonder and adore My joy.

— from The Holy Child’s Song, by Thomas Merton

and from Alexander Carmichael’s collectin of Scottish highland prayers,

The Carmina Gadelica:

     Thou art the joy of all joyous things,

Thou art the light of the beam of the sun,

Thou art the first door of hospitality,

Thou art the surpassing star of guidance,

Thou art the step of the deer on the hill,

Thou art the grace of the swan swimming,

Thou art the loveliness of all lovely desires