St. Francis and the Christmas Crib of Greccio

"The beautiful Mother is bending

Low where her Baby lies

Helpless and frail, for her tending;

But she knows the glorious eyes.

"The Mother smiles and rejoices

While the Baby laughs in the hay;

She listens to heavenly voices:

'The child shall be King, one day.'

"O dear little Christ in the manger,

Let me make merry with Thee.

O King, in my hour of danger,

Wilt Thou be strong for me?"

—Adapted from the Latin of Jacopone da Todi,
Thirteenth Century.