Religion

A baby is a harmless thing

by Christina Rossetti 1830–1894

From Verses (1893)

Religion

A baby is a harmless thing
And wins our hearts with one accord,
And Flower of Babies was their King,
Jesus Christ our Lord:
Lily of lilies He
Upon His Mother’s knee;
Rose of roses, soon to be
Crowned with thorns on leafless tree.

A lamb is innocent and mild
And merry on the soft green sod;
And Jesus Christ, the Undefiled,
Is the Lamb of God:
Only spotless He
Upon His Mother’s knee;
White and ruddy, soon to be
Sacrificed for you and me.

Nay, lamb is not so sweet a word,
Nor lily half so pure a name;
Another name our hearts hath stirred,
Kindling them to flame:
“Jesus” certainly
Is music and melody:
Heart with heart in harmony
Carol we and worship we.

✦ ✦ ✦

Verses (1893), section: Some Feasts and Fasts / Christmas Day.

MLA

Rossetti, Christina. “A baby is a harmless thing.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/rossetti_c/649/.

Chicago

Rossetti, Christina. “A baby is a harmless thing.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/rossetti_c/649/.

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