Blessed Redeemer, we do not meet this day<\/p>\n
Of thy nitivity,<\/strong> as well we may,<\/p>\n With signs of joy and wonder, we do write<\/p>\n Thy name upon it, and seem with delight<\/p>\n To welcome its reutrn;<\/strong> we trim and dress<\/p>\n Our houses with all greens1<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>, and seem no less<\/p>\n Joyfully to entertain the happy news<\/p>\n Of Thy descent from Heaven, than once the Jews<\/p>\n Did thy descent from Olive2<\/a> <\/sup><\/a>; we sing<\/p>\n Hosanna’s.<\/a> at this birth day of our king<\/p>\n And surely tis well done, but tis not all<\/p>\n Christian from thee this day doth all<\/p>\n for somewhat more without which all the rest<\/p>\n Will proove but empty compliments3<\/a> <\/sup><\/a> at best<\/p>\n Thy Lord must be thy life: thou must be brought<\/p>\n Under his yoke and rule: thou must be wrought<\/p>\n Into his likeness: Christ must formed be<\/p>\n first in his virgin Mother, then in thee4<\/a> <\/sup><\/a \n\n1<\/a><\/sup> Reference to decorating traditions during the Christmas period. Back to text.<\/a> 2<\/a><\/sup> Reference to Palm Sunday:Jesus entering Jerusalem. Back to text.<\/a> 3<\/a><\/sup> Apart from Christ, everything else is emptiness. Without Christ as our Lord and as our life, the world will only bring us empty compliments; Or, unless we are truly devoted to Christ, our words are but empty compliments. Back to text.<\/a> 4<\/a><\/sup> A reference to Christ’s immaculate conception. Back to text.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Blessed Redeemer, we do not meet this day Of thy nitivity, as well we may, With signs of joy and wonder, we do write Thy name upon it, and seem with delight To welcome its reutrn; we trim and dress … Continue reading