Kissing the Face of God

 What child is this who laid to rest,

on Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

while shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

the babe, the son of Mary.

 Why lies He in a such mean estate,
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear; for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through;
the cross be borne for me, for you:
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
the babe, the son of Mary.

 So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
come, peasant, King, to own him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise the song on high,
the virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
the babe, the son of Mary.

(Written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865)

 Who could ever guess that Mary,

 while kissing the face of her baby,

 was kissing the face of God?

Blessed be all mothers and all babies, born and unborn:

For all babies are blessings from the Lord!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, KJV)

MERRY CHRISTMAS, everyone!   

       

Adoration of the Shepherds, 
painted by Gerard van Honthorst in 1622