John 1:1-18 KJV 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was
made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light
shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was
John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men
through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear
witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every
man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made
by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received
him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the
sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:1 13 Which were born, not of
blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among
us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This
was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he
was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom
of the Father, he hath declared him.
The
Nativity of Christ
Behold the father is his daughter's son,
The bird that built the nest is hatched therein,
The old of years an hour hath not outrun,
Eternal life to live doth now begin,
The Word is dumb, the mirth of heaven doth weep,
Might feeble is, and force doth faintly creep.
O dying souls, behold your living spring;
O dazzled eyes, behold your sun of grace;
Dull ears, attend what word this Word doth bring;
Up, heavy hearts, with joy your joy embrace.
From death, from dark, from deafness, from despairs
This life, this light, this Word, this joy repairs.
Gift better than himself God doth not know;
Gift better than his God no man can see.
This gift doth here the giver given bestow;
Gift to this gift let each receiver be.
God is my gift, himself he freely gave me;
God's gift am I, and none but God shall have me.
Man altered was by sin from man to beast;
Beast's food is hay, hay is all mortal flesh.
Now God is flesh and lies in manger pressed
As hay, the brutest sinner to refresh.
O happy field wherein that fodder grew,
Whose taste doth us from beasts to men renew.
- Robert Southwell
Link
to poem: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-nativity-of-christ/
Link
to another Christmas poem by Southwell and much information about the poet:
I2C 131224b Joh 1v1to18 Plus great poem / I2C /
1312 / John 1:1-18 Plus great poem
