A Christmas poem by Bishop O’Connell

In love the Father has brought us to be
And gave us the gifts of the earth;
Yet pride turned our hearts and we could not see
Our sin and the need for Christ’s birth.

In love was the Son announced by a star
With Joseph and Mary in place;
A manger for him, after traveling far,
As a stable gave shelter to Grace.

In love did the Mother bring close to her breast
The Child whom prophets foretold;
And Joseph stood near, a family blest,
A new age set free from the old.

In love did the angels sing “Glory to God”
And the shepherds all fell to their knees;
Three kings on their way, on camel’s back plod
With gifts for the Prince of Peace.

In love has this story reached our ears,
The Lord Jesus was born on that night.
Salvation has followed, down through the years,
As our darkness gave way to His Light.