Nativity Reflections Christmas Poems
Reflect on the miracle of the nativity with poems that honor the humble beginnings of Christ’s birth.
Poet: William Canton
When the herds were watching
In the midnight chill,
Came a spotless lambkin
From the heavenly hill.
Snow was on the mountains,
And the wind was cold.
When from God's own garden
Dropped a rose of gold.
When it was bitter winter,
Houseless and forlorn
In a star-lit stable
Christ the Babe was bom.
Welcome, heavenly lambkin;
Welcome, golden rose;
Alleluia, Baby,
In the swaddling clothes!
Poet: Herbert Holmes
Whispered the Angels just before Christ's Birth;
"Will God be born and die like men? This Morn
Enter Man's life and be a Babe on Earth!"
"Hush! it hath come to pass; the Babe is born."
And, hurrying on, this new-starred Earth they sought
Where Love was proving greater than even the Angels thought.
Poet: Emilie Poulsson
Shepherds, why
Do your flocks untended lie?
Hear ye not the lambkins' bleat,
As ye haste with flying feet?
Hides no foe among the rocks.
That may harm your helpless flocks?
Shepherds, stay.
Guard your flocks till dawns the day.
"Nay, we go,
Swiftest feet seem all too slow.
Stay us not," a shepherd said,
Backward calling as he fled,
"Safe, unharmed, our flocks shall rest.
For we go at God's behest,
Nor delay;
Word of God we must obey."
Onward then
Sped these simple eager men
Hasting that dear babe to find,
Who should love and bless mankind,
Now a tender babe, new-born,
Wrapped in swaddling clothes forlorn.
Such the word
From the angel of the Lord.
And behold!
Soon they found him, as foretold
In a Bethlehem stable, where
Shelter he with kine must share,
Humble bed for him was made
Of soft hay in manger laid.
And amazed
Filled with joy, the shepherds gazed.
Swiftly then
Homeward went these simple men,
Glorifying, praising God,
Told the wondrous news abroad,
That the Christ child now was born,
Making Earth's first Christmas morn
Morn whose light
Through the ages still is bright.
Christmas Bible Verses
Poet: Elizabeth Froude Campbell
I am but a tiny girl,
And don't quite understand
All the pretty things I'm told
About the spirit land.
I know that Jesus was a child.
And quite lowly born;
And was laid where oxen feed,
On a Christmas morn.
While shepherds watched their sheep one night,
All resting on the ground.
An angel came from God to them.
And glory shone around.
He pointed to a lovely star,
'Neath where the baby lay;
The shepherds sought the place to find
Before the break of day.
They found it, and 'twas sacred ground,
Everywhere they trod;
Then kneeling down, they gazed upon
The Holy Child of God.
This child, I know, to manhood grew.
And died for us through love;
He rose again, and now as king
Reigns in our home above.
Related: Christmas Poems - Traditional Christmas poems and Christian Christmas poems together celebrate the joy, love, and wonder of the season.
The Wonder of the Christ Child Christmas Poems
These poems capture the awe and innocence of the Christ child, reminding us of the pure joy of His arrival.
Poet: Crocket McElroy
There never had been a Christmas morn,
Till near nineteen hundred years ago,
When Christ our glorious Lord was born,
And peace and good will began to grow.
Christ taught fathers and mothers to pray,
And how good, pure and kind they should be,
And when some one pushed children away,
Said, "Suffer them to come unto Me."
We all should rejoice and be thankful
That Christ loved little children so strong,
And strive to be happy and cheerful,
And never to do anything wrong.
It pays to be good and be pleasant,
And pleases our kind parents so well,
We are sure to receive a nice present,
When old Santa Claus comes with his bell.
Now, my good friends and my teacher, too,
I have one strong wish for which I'll pray,
I wish for me and I wish for you,
That Christ will come back some Christmas day.
Poet: L. V. F. Randolph
They came from the East, from the source of light;
Where ages ago the day was born;
Whence rides the sun in his wondrous might,
His chariot wet with the dew of morn.
They turned from the sun to track a star.
But never for this did their zeal grow less;
And they hailed at last, after journeying far,
The glorious Sun of Righteousness.
They came from the East, the Land of Spice
And laden with perfumes rich and rare;
A fragrant and precious sacrifice
Like incense of humble and holy prayer.
They found a flower in Bethlehem's inn,
Far sweeter than in the Orient grows;
Unsoil'd of earth, untouched of sin,
Was the bud of Sharon's lovely Rose.
They came from the East; and of Kingly state
Their peers had been in their native land;
Yet now for them all it was meet to mate
With the lowly carpenter's family band.
For in that infant meek and fair
They marked the signs of lofty birth;
And gladly they gave Him homage there
The rightful King of all the Earth.
Famous Christmas Poems
Poet: Kathleen Kavanagh
Keep time, keep time, glad Christmas chime!
Loud, louder sing thy song sublime;
Ne'er half enough can e'er be told
Of that dear story, sweet and old.
Hark, men and women - children, too
List to the wondrous tale anew,
How long ago, in land afar.
The shepherds saw the shining star;
Heard echoed strains of harp and lyre
Attuned to thrill of angel choir.
Keep time, keep time, wild, joyful chime!
Bid every heart keep Christmas time
Let there be none so worn and weary,
Let there be none so lone and dreary,
That thy rich music may not fill
With happiness and fond good-will:
With just a bit of hope and cheer,
A firmer trust in heaven near,
A sense of sacred, new-found rest,
That Jesus sleeps on Mary's breast.
Keep time, keep time, blest Christmas chime!
Repeat thy message true, sublime.
Unto the mighty, to the lowly.
Unto the sinner, to the holy:
Bid them live on in gentle peace,
Their strife and hatred all to cease;
And bid them come, not, as of old.
With frankincense, myrrh, gems and gold.
But with the nobler - love's own proffer
Unto their God their hearts to offer.
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
Let Christmas fill our world with cheer,
With gratitude for Christ so dear.
God’s precious gift, our guiding light,
Brings faith and hope through every night.
Let love reflect His holy grace,
As joy lights up each heart and place.
Together, may we humbly pray,
Thanking God for this blessed day.
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
In the quiet hush of Bethlehem's night,
A star shone bright, a celestial light.
A manger cradled hope, pure and serene,
A gift of love, a Savior unseen.
May the presence of Christ, like the Bethlehem star,
Illuminate your heart, no matter how far.
His joy, a beacon in the darkest night,
Filling your soul with a heavenly light.
So, as snowflakes dance in the wintry air,
May the presence of Christ, beyond compare,
Fill your days with hope, your nights with His cheer,
Merry Christmas, and a blessed New Year!
Related: Christmas Poems About Jesus - Poems centered on Jesus amplify the purpose of Christian Christmas poems by focusing on His love, birth, and blessings.
Christmas Blessings and Prayers Poems
Discover heartfelt poems that express Christmas blessings and prayers, perfect for sharing this season.
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
In the hush of a stable, 'neath a Bethlehem star,
The true meaning of Christmas traveled afar.
May this message of love, like a heavenly dove,
Grace your life with warmth and the blessings from above.
In the glow of the manger, where the Savior lay,
May His light shine on you, brightening your way.
This Christmas season, may His love gently flow,
Filling your heart with joy, as the winter winds blow.
May your home be aglow with His peace from above,
Wrapped in the warmth of His boundless love.
As you gather with family, beneath the tree's light,
May the true meaning of Christmas make your spirits bright.
So, in this season of grace, in His love, we confide,
Merry Christmas, with Christ by your side.
Christmas Poems About Love
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
We give thanks on bended knee
For the miracle of love that we see.
We bow our heads as we pray,
Thanking God for Jesus, this Christmas day.
We lift our hands in worship and praise
For Jesus died, but God did raise.
Thanks be to God for sending His Son,
He is the life, the way, truly the one.
No other gift can compare,
Glory to God we do declare.
Related: Christmas Blessings - Christian Christmas poems often contain blessings, making this section an ideal partner for sharing spiritual and heartfelt messages.
Christmas Prophecy and Promise Poems
Explore poems that reflect on the prophecies and promises of Christmas, focusing on faith and hope.
Poet: Dora Greenwell
If ye would hear the Angels sing
"Peace on earth and mercy mild"
Think of Him who was once a child,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
If ye would hear the Angels sing
Christians! see ye let each door
Stand wider than ever it stood before,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
Rise, and open wide the door;
Christians, rise! the world is wide,
And many there be that stand outside,
Yet Christmas comes in the morning.
If ye would hear the Angels sing,
Rise and spread your Christmas fare;
’Tis merrier still the more that share,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
If ye would hear the Angels sing,
Christians! think on Him who died;
Think of your Lord, the Crucified,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
Christmas Quotes
Poet: W H. Moore
This is the day, the eve of the birth
Of the King of Kings, and the Lord of earth.
Blessed be Mary, the mother of God,
We'll sing her grand praises while on the sod.
Thanks be to God for the prophets of old.
Who really knew more than ever was told.
But the grandest words and the sweetest refrain
When He said to His people, "I'm coming again."
Christmas in spirit, the birth of a soul
They are born in youth as well as when old;
But the younger that's born have longer to live.
And the fruits of their living to others to give
Will bring them more blessings and fit them to be
Welcome with Jesus His grand company
To join in the chorus, the sweetest refrain
Just what He said. He was coming again.
Just take His word for it shaketh the earth.
And causes more souls in hearts to have birth.
Be named in the list of His grand company,
By prayers and repentance. His blood-bought fee;
Have an ear for His music and a conscience so sweet.
Perfectly happy, thy brother to greet.
And most happily join in the sweetest refrain
Just what He said, He was coming again.
Related: Christmas Poems About Hope - Hope is central to Christian Christmas poems, and these hope-filled verses inspire faith, trust, and renewal during the season.