Sannerz Christmas

Christmas! Holy night of nights
that made the very Richest poor –
you pierce the darkness with your light;
powers of night cannot endure.

Jesus is the light of stars.
Jesus is the strength of life!
And he does for the world’s poor,
things beyond the world’s belief.

Make us poor through your great love,
Jesus, poor like you, we plead.
Make us weak – weak in your strength.
Show us mercy in our need.

Sannerz, 1921

As published in Poems and Rhymed Prayers (Walden, NY: Plough, 2003).

Article edited for length and clarity.