Poem of William Hermanns

                                     Jesus

How is it, Thou, a Jew, born in a stall,
Walked down the ages as a living light?
Thou leadest homeward when we err and fall
And barrest from our threshold death and night?

Is it because Thou dwelt among the least
And healed the blind, the wounded, raised the dead?
But Thou wert mocked and scorned by king and priest;
Thine own kind put a price upon Thy head.

Is it because Thou stayed those who demurred
And blessed the throng who left behind their dross?
But Rome despised the temple and the Word
And nailed Thee with two felons on the cross.

Thou Christ died not: Thou livest to fulfill
Though Herod and great Caesar passed away.
It is because in lowly mangers still.
Our babes are born and mothers kneel to pray.

                                     William Hermanns    [P179]