"Christmas" by Sir John Betjeman is a reflective poem that contrasts the joyful, festive traditions of the holiday season with its profound spiritual meaning. Written with a mix of nostalgia and contemplation, the poem celebrates the cultural and religious aspects of Christmas, ultimately centering on the miraculous Incarnation of Christ. Through vivid imagery, poignant questions, and a deep sense of reverence, Betjeman invites readers to consider the true essence of the holiday beyond its material trappings.
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Christmas by Sir John Betjeman
The bells of waiting Advent ring,
The Tortoise stove is lit again
And lamp-oil light across the night
Has caught the streaks of winter rain
In many a stained-glass window sheen
From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green.
The holly in the windy hedge
And round the Manor House the yew
Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge,
The altar, font and arch and pew,
So that the villagers can say
'The church looks nice' on Christmas Day.
Provincial Public Houses blaze,
Corporation tramcars clang,
On lighted tenements I gaze,
Where paper decorations hang,
And bunting in the red Town Hall
Says 'Merry Christmas to you all'.
And London shops on Christmas Eve
Are strung with silver bells and flowers
As hurrying clerks the City leave
To pigeon-haunted classic towers,
And marbled clouds go scudding by
The many-steepled London sky.
And girls in slacks remember Dad,
And oafish louts remember Mum,
And sleepless children's hearts are glad.
And Christmas-morning bells say 'Come!'
Even to shining ones who dwell
Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.
And is it true? And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,
A Baby in an ox's stall?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me?
And is it true? For if it is,
No loving fingers tying strings
Around those tissued fripperies,
The sweet and silly Christmas things,
Bath salts and inexpensive scent
And hideous tie so kindly meant,
No love that in a family dwells,
No carolling in frosty air,
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells
Can with this single Truth compare -
That God was man in Palestine
And lives today in Bread and Wine.
Analysis
"Christmas" by Sir John Betjeman captures the essence of the holiday season, juxtaposing its secular and religious aspects. The poem begins with vivid imagery of traditional Christmas preparations, such as decorating the church and observing the festivity in towns and cities. These images are steeped in nostalgia and a sense of community. Betjeman contrasts these earthly celebrations with a deeper contemplation of the spiritual significance of Christmas.
The poem's turning point lies in the question,
"And is it true?" Here, Betjeman reflects on the profound Christian belief of the Incarnation: that God became man. This truth is presented as far surpassing the material and familial joys of the season. The last stanza emphasizes the lasting significance of Christ's presence in the Eucharist, a central tenet of Christian faith.
Themes
1. Secular vs. Sacred: The poem contrasts the external, festive aspects of Christmas with its profound spiritual meaning. It questions whether the material celebration truly aligns with the sacred narrative of Christ's birth.
2. Community and Nostalgia: Betjeman depicts a world steeped in tradition, from rural church preparations to bustling city life. This nostalgic tone underscores the collective nature of Christmas, both as a cultural and religious event.
3. Faith and Doubt: The repeated question
"And is it true?" reflects Betjeman’s exploration of faith. While affirming belief, the question also invites readers to reflect on their own spiritual convictions.
4. Divine Incarnation: The poem meditates on the miraculous nature of Christ's birth, portraying it as the ultimate act of divine love. This theme is encapsulated in the line,
"That God was man in Palestine."
5. Love and Humility: Betjeman emphasizes the humble origins of Christ and the simplicity of His message, elevating these values above materialism and pomp.
Literary Devices
1. Alliteration: Betjeman employs alliteration to create rhythm and emphasize key imagery, such as
"steeple-shaking bells" and
"pigeon-haunted classic towers."
2. Repetition: The recurring question
"And is it true?" reinforces the central spiritual inquiry of the poem, urging readers to consider its implications.
3. Imagery: Rich visual details, such as
"marbled clouds" and
"streaks of winter rain," create a vivid tapestry of Christmas in both rural and urban settings.
4. Rhyme Scheme: The poem's ABAB rhyme scheme provides a musical, hymn-like quality that mirrors its devotional undercurrent.
5. Contrast in Tone: Betjeman alternates between a celebratory, lighthearted tone in describing Christmas festivities and a reverent, contemplative tone when addressing the Incarnation.
6. Symbolism: Objects like stained-glass windows and
"Bread and Wine" symbolize both the tangible and spiritual aspects of Christian worship, grounding the abstract truths of faith in sensory experience.
