I have great admiration for Rudyard Kipling (b 1865- d 1936) and especially love his
poem “IF–” and my respect multiplied after reading this poem he wrote sometime
between 1914 and 18. I hope you enjoy it too.

This poem is in the public domain.

            
The Babe was laid in the Manger
     Between the gentle kine—
All safe from cold and danger—
     “But it was not so with mine,
                        (With mine! With mine!)
“Is it well with the child, is it well?”
     The waiting mother prayed.
“For I know not how he fell,
     And I know not where he is laid.”

A Star stood forth in Heaven;
     The Watchers ran to see
The Sign of the Promise given—
     “But there comes no sign to me.
                        (To me! To me!)
“My child died in the dark.
     Is it well with the child, is it well?
There was none to tend him or mark,
      And I know not how he fell.”

The Cross was raised on high;
     The Mother grieved beside—
“But the Mother saw Him die
     And took Him when He died.
                        (He died! He died!)
“Seemly and undefiled
     His burial-place was made—
Is it well, is it well with the child?
     For I know not where he is laid.”

On the dawning of Easter Day
     Comes Mary Magdalene;
But the Stone was rolled away,
     And the Body was not within—
                        (Within! Within!)
“Ah, who will answer my word?”
     The broken mother prayed.
“They have taken away my Lord,
     And I know not where He is Laid.”

“The Star stands forth in Heaven.
     The watchers watch in vain
For Sign of the Promise given
     Of peace on Earth again—
                        (Again! Again!)
“But I know for Whom he fell”—
     The steadfast mother smiled,
“Is it well with the child—is it well?
     It is well—it is well with the child!”

*
This poem is in the public domain

Source: Poets.Org © Academy of American Poets
Author: Joseph Rudyard Kipling. He is best known for his novels The Jungle Book,
The Second Jungle Book, and Kim, and his most famous poem, “If—“.
He died on January 18, 1936; his ashes are buried in Westminster Abbey.
Photo: My own

To you, who celebrate Christmas in December,
Merry Christmas;
Happy Christmas;
Happy Holidays!
And if Christmas is not your cup of tea, I understand.

There are several holidays that fall in the month of December
besides Christmas; namely, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice,
and the newly secular HumanLight.

To you all, whichever way it is you celebrate,
I want to wish you Happy/Super/Joyous December Celebrations.

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Selma Martin

I’m a simple woman who dares to see the beauty in ordinary. I’d love to connect with you and like pen pals, I want something beautiful to blossom between us. Will you join me? Selma is my middle name. Its meaning—peaceful, complete, are euphoric affirmations I like to think of myself as having. They compliment the joy I feel when I write. I sincerely hope you decide to join me on my writing journey. I Wish You Miracles.

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