The Life of Christ in Verse: Birth and Childhood

Rosary Poetry: Poems on the Life of Jesus Christ
- Birth and Childhood -

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The Annunciation
God sends His messenger
To a young Jewish girl,
Praying for the Messiah
To arrive in her world.
God hears His people's cries,
A prayerful symphony.
The angels of heaven
Sigh for love's company.
Heaven arrives on earth,
Bated breath, time stands still.
Divine promise to keep,
Prophecy to fulfill.
"You will bring forth a Son.
Endless mercy and love.
A champion of the poor,
Descended from above."
- I am sworn to the Lord.
My fruit a life of prayer.
"He'll be a gift from God.
His Spirit you will share."
- I am the Lord's handmaid.
What you wish I will do.
God's will, not mine, be done.
I acquiesce to you.

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The Visitation

We lived in a world full of miracles,
Where an angel came bearing God's good news.
Elizabeth in her old age believed.
The truth her speechless husband did refuse.

Carried by Mary to Elizabeth,
God came out of love to visit one day.
Mary's Son, Jesus, did fill John with grace,
Blessed the cousin who would prepare His way.

Jesus' announcement of the kingdom,
Even before they were born, had begun.
From womb to womb the message was made known:
John would proclaim to all God's only Son.

How is it you visit me, sweet Mary?
The Lord's love for me needs no testament.
Why even at the very sound of you,
The child in my womb stirred with excitement.

"I am here to proclaim the Lord's goodness.
In God my Savior do I now rejoice.
His favor rests upon me, His servant.
His sacred promise fulfilled by my choice."

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The Nativity¹
God gave us His only Son, all He had.
That we return His love, His only wish.
Trusting a baby to bring out our best,
He knew this poor child our lives would enrich.
Bethlehem's long journey over rough roads,
Worse in mid-winter this dangerous way.
Mary and Joseph with God's Providence,
Endured all with love for our sins to slay.
God imprisoned in the womb, slave to love,
With full reason, without means to express.
His eyes without vision, tongue without speech,
Hands without touching, unable to bless.
Stable for nursery, straw for cradle,
Rags for clothes and animal's breath for heat.
His light burned bright and the world knew Him not,
Except for shepherds and kings from the East.
A sight to behold, hearts overflowing,
Kings overcome, with holiness beguiled,
The first gentiles to receive the good news,
Presented their gifts to Mary's sweet child.

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The Presentation²
Mary and Joseph, as required by Law,
Brought their child before God in the Temple.
Priest and victim, Jesus offered Himself.
With these words, He yielded Himself in full:
"I'm here, Father, to give my life to You,
So that all sinners may be forgiven,
and Your divine justice be satisfied.
For their salvation, have mercy on them."
Simeon, a holy man, was waiting
To greet the Messiah before his death.
For he had been promised by the Spirit
That he would see Him before his last breath.
Embracing the child, God's promise fulfilled,
His life complete, it was time to let go.
He'd seen the salvation prepared for all,
And glory on his Israel bestowed.
This child would reveal His Father to us.
Mary's heart would be pierced because of Him.
Accepted or rejected, this God-Man
Was the one who would save us all from sin.

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The Finding in the Temple³
Mary and Joseph, upon their return,
From the feast of Pasch in Jerusalem,
Learned that Jesus, now twelve, had stayed behind.
They thought He was with the other children.
How could we lose such a precious treasure?
Had we erred and God was displeased with us?
They searched three days for their heavenly gift,
Deeply grieving at the loss of Jesus.
Did He sleep in the street or beg for food?
Was He abducted when they departed?
At wits end, to the Temple they repaired,
Back to where their journeying had started.
What a sight to behold within the room,
Their Son and the wise exploring doctrine.
Without rebuke, more a loving complaint,
Mary spoke of losing Him with chagrin.
"Did you not know," He quietly replied,
"I must be about My Father's business?
We must be willing to leave all behind,
including loved ones, to be God's witness."

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Copyright © 2010 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material must be done in its entirety with the copyright notice intact This book is not for sale, but is offered to the public free of charge for the glory of God, in deep appreciation for the mercy and grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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