"Christmas" by George Herbert

This poem, "Christmas" by George Herbert, is the second of two poems he wrote about Christmas. This poem is perfect, especially as the Christmas season is soon approaching. This poem really speaks about not only the scenery, but the feel and holiness of being with Jesus as He was born. 

The shepherds sing; and shall I silent be? 
      My God, no hymn for Thee? {Herbert is trying to paint a picture in the readers' mind of Jesus' birth, so quiet and calm.}
My soul's a shepherd too; a flock it feeds {This talks about something greater and deeper. God takes care of our souls and is the shepherd over that. We should trust in Him to take care of our souls.}
      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. {We will sing His name forever}
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, {Herbert is getting deep and personal and talking about how he wants to be the salt and light unto the world. He wants to show others Christ and that's how we should be too.}
      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. {Herbert means that we will keep singing forever. We will worship God forever, as He should be.}

I honestly just picked this poem out of the title of Christmas. I didn't know that it would paint such a vivid and detailed picture of the nativity scene. This poem really gets you in the mood for Christmas, but not only that, it gets you in the right mindset of Christmas. Presents are fun, but the true meaning is the celebration of Jesus Christ. Although that may be just a cliche thing we hear all the time during Christmas, we have to remember that.