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Saints' Discussion Forums  |  Forums  |  Catholic General Discussion  |  Topic: Noel, by JRR Tolkien 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. « previous next »
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Speramus
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« on: December 24, 2024, 12:56:36 PM »

I just saw this poem, written by one of my favorite authors, JRR Tolkien. I hope it isn't too out of place here.

Tolkien was an English author and scholar, not a saint, but a serious Catholic. After his father died when he was four and his mother died when he was twelve, a Catholic priest became his guardian.

His poem depicts rejoicing in heaven and earth at the appearance of our Savior in a cold, lost world.  A blessed Christmas to you, kind souls.


Noel
by J.R.R. Tolkien

Grim was the world and grey last night:
The moon and stars were fled,
The hall was dark without song or light,
The fires were fallen dead.

The wind in the trees was like to the sea,
And over the mountains’ teeth
It whistled bitter-cold and free,
As a sword leapt from its sheath.

The lord of snows upreared his head;
His mantle long and pale
Upon the bitter blast was spread
And hung o’er hill and dale.
The world was blind,
the boughs were bent,
All ways and paths were wild:
Then the veil of cloud apart was rent,
And here was born a Child.

The ancient dome of heaven sheer
Was pricked with distant light;
A star came shining white and clear
Alone above the night.
In the dale of dark in that hour of birth
One voice on a sudden sang:
Then all the bells in Heaven and Earth
Together at midnight rang.

Mary sang in this world below:
They heard her song arise
O’er mist and over mountain snow
To the walls of Paradise,
And the tongue of many bells was stirred
in Heaven’s towers to ring
When the voice of mortal maid was heard,
That was mother of Heaven’s King.

Glad is the world and fair this night
With stars about its head,
And the hall is filled with laughter and light,
And fires are burning red.
The bells of Paradise now ring
With bells of Christendom,
And Gloria, Gloria we will sing
That God on earth is come.
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CyrilSebastian
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« Reply #1 on: December 24, 2024, 03:06:01 PM »

Speramus, Noel is truly an excellent Christian poem about Christmas.
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eschator83
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« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2024, 02:44:51 PM »

Speramus, many thanks for posting this great poem.  I've been a great fan of CS Lewis, the Inklings, and the Socratic club for years, and reading your post sent me back to rereading James Como's Remembering CSL.  Might you recall the comments by Dr Harvard on the many Inkling readings by Tolkien from Lord of the Rings.  I have often imagined myself listening a Inklings, although I have only one Narnia book and no Hobbit.  but I've loved discussing Screwtape, Mere Christianity, Weight of Glory, Abolition of Man, Miracles, Pain, Divorce, Surprised by Joy, Pilgrims' Regress and so many more.
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Saints' Discussion Forums  |  Forums  |  Catholic General Discussion  |  Topic: Noel, by JRR Tolkien « previous next »
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