A Christmas Miscellany

The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap,
His hair was like a light.
(O weary, weary were the world,
But here is all aright.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's breast
His hair was like a star.
(O stern and cunning are the kings,
But here the true hearts are.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's heart,
His hair was like a fire.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here the world's desire.)

The Christ-child stood on Mary's knee,
His hair was like a crown,
And all the flowers looked up at Him,
And all the stars looked down.

-G.K. Chesterton, A Christmas Carol

Puer natus in Bethlehem, alleluia;
unde gaudet Ierusalem, allueluia, alleluia;
in cordis iubilo, Christum natum adoremus
cum novo cantico.

-16th century

Good news: but if you ask me what it is, I know not;
It is a track of feet in the snow,
It is a lantern showing a path,
It is a door set open.

G.K. Chesterton, Xmas Day

Incipe, parve puer, risu cognoscere matrem.

Virgil, Fourth Eclogue