CHRISTMAS CAROL 1942

CHRISTMAS CAROL 1942

Tutored by care and weariness and dearth,

we kneel beside

you, Mary, more understandingly[1]

this Christmas-tide.

A longer time we brook the stable floor,

rock-hewn and cold,

mindful a little less of things of sense

now than of old.

We have not asked a blissful cry of stars

blending with wave

on wave of nine-voiced angel chant

above the cave.

Lady of Single Desire, more than fulfilled

one holy night,

teach us to seek, also, only the Child

for our delight.

Sister M Paulinus

America.  26 December 1942

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[1] The growth in understanding referred to by the poet arose when America joined World War II on 7 December 1941.