“Christmas” by George Herbert: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Christmas” by George Herbert

“Christmas” by George Herbert, first appeared in 1633 in his collection of poems, The Temple, is known for its lyrical beauty and contemplative tone, exploring the profound significance of the Nativity. Herbert uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the awe and wonder of Christ’s birth, emphasizing the divine mystery and humility of the Savior. The poem’s central theme is the incarnation of God, the divine becoming human, and its impact on humanity. Herbert invites readers to contemplate the profound mystery of Christmas and its transformative power.

Text: “Christmas” by George Herbert

Christmas-I

  After all pleasures as I rid one day,
My horse and I, both tired, body and mind,
With full cry of affections, quite astray;
I took up the next inn I could find.

There when I came, whom found I but my dear,
My dearest Lord, expecting till the grief
Of pleasures brought me to Him, ready there
To be all passengers’ most sweet relief?

Oh Thou, whose glorious, yet contracted light,
Wrapt in night’s mantle, stole into a manger;
Since my dark soul and brutish is Thy right,
To man of all beasts be not Thou a stranger:

Furnish and deck my soul, that Thou mayst have
A better lodging, than a rack, or grave.

Christmas-II

The shepherds sing; and shall I silent be?
      My God, no hymn for Thee?
My soul’s a shepherd too; a flock it feeds
      Of thoughts, and words, and deeds.
The pasture is Thy word: the streams, Thy grace
      Enriching all the place.
Shepherd and flock shall sing, and all my powers
      Outsing the daylight hours.
Then will we chide the sun for letting night
      Take up his place and right:
We sing one common Lord; wherefore he should
      Himself the candle hold.
I will go searching, till I find a sun
      Shall stay, till we have done;
A willing shiner, that shall shine as gladly,
      As frost-nipped suns look sadly.
Then will we sing, and shine all our own day,
      And one another pay:
His beams shall cheer my breast, and both so twine,
Till ev’n His beams sing, and my music shine.

Annotations: “Christmas” by George Herbert

Stanza	Annotation
Christmas – I: Stanza 1	The speaker, tired from worldly pleasures and the burdens of life, stops at an inn while traveling. This symbolizes a moment of reflection and spiritual exhaustion. The “full cry of affections” represents being led astray by material desires.
Christmas – I: Stanza 2	At the inn, the speaker encounters his “dearest Lord” (Jesus), who is waiting for him with grace and mercy. This suggests that divine comfort is always present, patiently waiting for those who are burdened by the griefs of life to turn back to God.
Christmas – I: Stanza 3	The speaker reflects on the humility of Christ, whose light came into the world in a lowly manger. The metaphor of “night’s mantle” signifies darkness and sin, while the “glorious light” symbolizes Jesus. The speaker acknowledges that, despite his own brutish soul, Christ belongs to all humanity.
Christmas – I: Stanza 4	The speaker prays for his soul to be cleansed and made worthy for Christ’s presence. He asks for spiritual renewal so that his soul may serve as a proper “lodging” for Christ, rather than the soul being a place of suffering (the “rack” or grave).
Christmas – II: Stanza 1	The speaker recognizes that the shepherds sang hymns at Christ’s birth, and he questions whether he, too, should remain silent. He feels that, like a shepherd, his soul also tends to thoughts, words, and deeds, which should praise God as the shepherds did.
Christmas – II: Stanza 2	The speaker declares that his thoughts are nourished by God’s word (“The pasture is Thy word”) and God’s grace (“The streams, Thy grace”). This nourishment enriches the soul, much like how literal pastures and streams nourish the physical flock.
Christmas – II: Stanza 3	The speaker resolves that both his soul (the shepherd) and his deeds (the flock) will sing praises to God throughout the day, surpassing the hours of daylight. He expresses the desire to praise God so fervently that even the sun would be chastised for allowing the night to interrupt.
Christmas – II: Stanza 4	The speaker continues his metaphor, suggesting that he will search for a light that will not fade (symbolizing eternal divine presence). He contrasts this with the sun, which looks “sadly” when affected by frost (a metaphor for the transient and weakening nature of earthly light).
Christmas – II: Stanza 5	The speaker envisions a future where the divine light (Christ) will cheer his soul, and the beams of divine grace will intertwine with his own music of praise. This suggests a union of divine light and human worship, where both God’s grace and the speaker’s praise glorify one another.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Christmas” by George Herbert

Device	Definition	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words	“My horse and I, both tired, body and mind”	Creates a rhythmic effect and emphasizes the speaker’s weariness.
Apostrophe	Addressing a person or thing that is not present	“Oh Thou, whose glorious, yet contracted light”	Directly addresses God, creating a personal and intimate tone.
Assonance	Repetition of vowel sounds within words	“Wrapt in night’s mantle, stole into a manger”	Creates a musical and lyrical quality.
Consonance	Repetition of consonant sounds within words	“Furnish and deck my soul, that Thou mayst have”	Adds a rhythmic and pleasing sound to the lines.
Enjambment	The continuation of a sentence or thought across multiple lines	“My horse and I, both tired, body and mind, With full cry of affections, quite astray”	Creates a sense of urgency and forward movement.
Hyperbole	Exaggeration for effect	“Outsing the daylight hours”	Emphasizes the intensity of the speaker’s singing.
Imagery	The use of vivid language to create mental images	“A better lodging, than a rack, or grave”	Paints a picture of the speaker’s soul as a place that needs improvement.
Irony	A contrast between what is expected or intended and what actually happens	“Then will we chide the sun for letting night Take up his place and right”	The speaker playfully criticizes the sun for allowing night to take over.
Metaphor	A comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as”	“My soul’s a shepherd too”	Compares the speaker’s soul to a shepherd, suggesting a responsibility for guiding their thoughts and actions.
Metonymy	The use of the name of one thing to represent something closely associated with it	“His beams shall cheer my breast”	The “beams” represent the light and warmth of God’s love.
Paradox	A statement that seems contradictory but expresses a truth	“The pasture is Thy word”	Suggests that God’s word provides nourishment and guidance.
Personification	Giving human qualities to non-human things	“The sun for letting night Take up his place and right”	The sun is portrayed as having agency and making choices.
Repetition	The repeated use of words, phrases, or sounds	“Then will we sing”	Creates a sense of emphasis and rhythm.
Rhetorical Question	A question asked for effect, not expecting an answer	“The shepherds sing; and shall I silent be?”	Emphasizes the speaker’s desire to participate in the singing.
Simile	A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as”	“Since my dark soul and brutish is Thy right”	Compares the speaker’s soul to a beast.
Symbolism	The use of objects, characters, or events to represent something else	“Christmas”	The holiday represents the birth of Jesus Christ and the hope of salvation.
Syntax	The arrangement of words in a sentence	“After all pleasures as I rid one day”	The inverted syntax creates a sense of emphasis and draws attention to the phrase “all pleasures.”
Theme	The central idea or message of a literary work	The spiritual journey of the speaker towards a deeper understanding of God and their relationship with Him.
Tone	The attitude of the speaker towards the subject matter	The tone is one of reverence, gratitude, and joy.
Voice	The distinctive style or personality of the speaker	The voice is reflective, contemplative, and deeply religious.

Themes: “Christmas” by George Herbert

• Divine Grace and Mercy: One of the central themes in “Christmas” is the idea of divine grace, as the speaker reflects on encountering Christ during a moment of exhaustion and spiritual crisis. In the first part of the poem, the speaker meets his “dearest Lord” at an inn, where Christ is waiting, ready to offer “sweet relief” (I.8) to those burdened by the griefs of life. This suggests the ever-present mercy of God, who is willing to forgive and comfort those who stray but return with contrition.
• Humility and the Incarnation: Another significant theme is the humility of Christ’s birth, which is emphasized in the speaker’s reflection on Christ’s entry into the world. Christ’s “glorious, yet contracted light” (I.9), wrapped in the “mantle” of night, symbolizes the humility of His birth in a manger. The speaker marvels at how divine light entered the world in such a humble manner, contrasting the greatness of Christ’s divinity with His lowly human circumstances. This emphasizes the theme of God’s willingness to lower Himself for the sake of humanity.
• Spiritual Renewal and Preparation: The speaker also explores the theme of spiritual renewal, as he prays for his soul to be cleansed and prepared as a proper dwelling for Christ. In the first part of the poem, he asks for his soul to be “furnish[ed] and deck[ed]” (I.13) so that it may be a fitting home for the divine, rather than a place of suffering like a “rack” or “grave.” This reflects the idea that individuals must actively prepare their souls to receive God’s grace, much like preparing a physical space for an honored guest.
• Praise and Worship: The theme of praise is central in the second part of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the shepherds who sang hymns at Christ’s birth. The speaker, recognizing his own soul as a shepherd of thoughts, words, and deeds, declares that he, too, must join in worship and sing praises to God (II.1-6). He imagines his soul and all his powers united in worship, “outsing[ing] the daylight hours” (II.7), demonstrating the boundless devotion and joy that worship can bring to the soul. This theme emphasizes the importance of continuous praise as a response to God’s grace.

Literary Theories and “Christmas” by George Herbert

Literary Theory	Definition	Applicable to “Christmas”	Reference
Metaphysical Poetry	A literary movement characterized by its intellectual and philosophical exploration, often using complex metaphors and conceits.	Herbert’s poem is a prime example of metaphysical poetry, with its intricate comparisons and philosophical musings.	“My soul’s a shepherd too; a flock it feeds”
Religious Poetry	Poetry that expresses spiritual or religious beliefs, often exploring themes of faith, sin, and salvation.	“Christmas” is clearly a religious poem, focusing on the birth of Jesus Christ and the speaker’s spiritual journey.	“Oh Thou, whose glorious, yet contracted light, Wrapt in night’s mantle, stole into a manger”
Symbolism	The use of objects, characters, or events to represent something else.	The poem is rich in symbolism, with Christmas representing the birth of Christ and the speaker’s soul representing the human condition.	“Christmas-I” and “Christmas-II”

Critical Questions about “Christmas” by George Herbert

Literary Works Similar to “Christmas” by George Herbert

1. “The Collar” by George Herbert – Like “Christmas,” this poem explores themes of spiritual struggle and eventual submission to God’s will, reflecting the tension between worldly distractions and divine grace.
2. “A Hymn to God the Father” by John Donne – This poem shares with “Christmas” the theme of seeking forgiveness and grace, as the speaker confesses his sins and looks to God for mercy and spiritual renewal.
3. “On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity” by John Milton – Both Milton’s poem and “Christmas” focus on the humble birth of Christ, celebrating the Incarnation and the divine grace that entered the world through it.
4. “Love (III)” by George Herbert – This poem, like “Christmas,” reflects on the speaker’s unworthiness and God’s merciful grace, where the speaker is invited by Love (God) to accept divine forgiveness and companionship.
5. “The Shepherds” by William Blake – In this poem, as in “Christmas,” the theme of the shepherds rejoicing at the birth of Christ is central, emphasizing the humble and joyous nature of Christ’s arrival and the worship that follows.

Suggested Readings: “Christmas” by George Herbert

1. Vendler, Helen. The Poetry of George Herbert. Harvard University Press, 1975.
2. Burden, Dennis H. “George Herbert’s ‘Redemption.’” The Review of English Studies, vol. 34, no. 136, 1983, pp. 446–51. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/515543. Accessed 8 Sept. 2024.
3. Whalen, Robert. “George Herbert’s Sacramental Puritanism.” Renaissance Quarterly, vol. 54, no. 4, 2001, pp. 1273–307. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/1261973. Accessed 8 Sept. 2024.
4. Gallagher, Michael P. “Rhetoric, Style, and George Herbert.” ELH, vol. 37, no. 4, 1970, pp. 495–516. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2872379. Accessed 8 Sept. 2024.
5. Ray, Robert H., and George Herbert. “The Herbert Allusion Book: Allusions to George Herbert in the Seventeenth Century.” Studies in Philology, vol. 83, no. 4, 1986, pp. i–182. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4174252. Accessed 8 Sept. 2024.
6. Boyd, Malcolm. George Herbert: A Literary Life. Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.

Representative Quotations of “Christmas” by George Herbert

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“After all pleasures as I rid one day”	The speaker’s journey towards spiritual enlightenment.	Metaphysical Poetry
“My dearest Lord, expecting till the grief Of pleasures brought me to Him”	The speaker’s recognition of their spiritual need.	Religious Poetry
“Oh Thou, whose glorious, yet contracted light, Wrapt in night’s mantle, stole into a manger”	The birth of Jesus Christ as a symbol of divine grace.	Symbolism
“Since my dark soul and brutish is Thy right”	The speaker’s acknowledgment of their own sinfulness.	Religious Poetry
“Furnish and deck my soul, that Thou mayst have A better lodging, than a rack, or grave”	The speaker’s prayer for spiritual renewal.	Metaphysical Poetry
“My soul’s a shepherd too; a flock it feeds”	The metaphor of the soul as a shepherd, responsible for guiding spiritual growth.	Metaphysical Poetry
“The pasture is Thy word: the streams, Thy grace Enriching all the place”	God’s word and grace as sources of spiritual nourishment.	Religious Poetry
“Then will we chide the sun for letting night Take up his place and right”	The speaker’s playful critique of the natural world.	Metaphysical Poetry
“I will go searching, till I find a sun Shall stay, till we have done”	The speaker’s longing for a lasting source of spiritual light.	Religious Poetry
“His beams shall cheer my breast, and both so twine, Till ev’n His beams sing, and my music shine”	The ultimate harmony between the speaker and God.	Metaphysical Poetry