Simple Sublime

by Lauren Campbell

the sun shrouded in a celestial gold

illumines the face of a newborn babe

whose features are freckled in hope foretold 

and whose figure is swaddled in hallowed praise

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by Him all the stars are numbered and named

the sundial of centuries cannot be outshone 

yet Bethlehem graces His crown and proclaims

that radiance is born in a stable not a throne

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He does not slumber, but is nursed to sleep

in a manger hewn from a carpenter’s knife

greeted by an ensemble of ivory fleece

aromas of fodder fill the breath of life

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choirs of angels sing at His command

yet He listens to shepherd’s lullabies 

creation’s head cradled in human hands

softly studies the virgin’s weary eyes 

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creation whispers as the sun stands still

the needle of horizon’s compass revolves

till north meets the south in a glorious thrill

and the equator of heaven and earth dissolves

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The sun, the Most High, at absolute height 

rising from the lowest possible place 

miraculous meets the mundane on that night

the genesis of salvation and grace 


Lauren is a second year at UVA and plans to major in English.

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