Nativity, At Night: A Christmas Poem: Inspired by the Art of Same Title of Geergen tot Sint Jans, 1490

Nativity, at Night, A Christmas Poem 

Inspired by the Art of the Same Title of Geertgen tot Sint Jans, 1490

(Written for a poetry contest)

Dedicated to Dana Adkerson

Beneath a Northern star, his life cut short, 

Geertgen tot Sint Jans, of Netherlandish sort. 

An oak wood sheet, his genius would proclaim, 

He built his Christmas mystery for fame. 

Inspired by faith, the artist sought to spread 

The holy words that Saint Bridget had said. 

She saw a light no earthly sun could claim, 

A radiant glory round the Manger flame.

"The sun in heaven could not compare," she cried, 

To the Child's brilliance where salvation lied. 

This sacred truth Geertgen yearned to show, 

A supernatural and pure, celestial glow. 

He used the oil paint, pioneer so bold, 

A spiritual story that would now unfold. 

The stable waits, a setting "vast and dim," 

A silent frame for the eternal hymn.

No smoky torch, no candle's common grace, 

Illuminates the solemn, central space. 

From the Infant Christ, the central focus streams, 

Fulfilling all of Bridget's deepest dreams. 

A brilliant light bursts forth, divine and stark, 

A sacred power pushing back the dark. 

It bathes the Mother's face in gentle rays, 

Her hands in prayer, lost in adoring gaze.

The master planned three distinct light sources there, 

To make the miracle profoundly clear. 

The main is God, where all the glory lies, 

Reflected gently in the Virgin's eyes. 

A secondary glow is seen on high, 

An angel's light across the shadowed sky. 

Below, the shepherds, cold and stressed, are blessed 

By a small, pale earthly fire put to the test.

This chiaroscuro, rich and full of grace, 

Forces the viewer to the central, holy place. 

Five hundred years have passed, we watch afar

Still gazing at the guiding Star.

His mastery over shadow and pure light, 

Made his enduring artwork, "Nativity at Night."

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Total Words (not including title): 282

With Title Word Count: 311. Normally, a poem’s title isn’t counted.

#ChristmasPoem #Dutchartists #GeergentotSintJans #AnneHendricks #NativityPoem #StJohntheDivine #SaintGertrude