The Star of Bethlehem
A poem about the Magi's journey to find Jesus after seeing a star in the sky that foretells his birth. The speaker describes the star as a celestial guide that leads them through deserts and mountains, across rivers and seas, until they finally reach Bethlehem where they pay homage to the newborn king.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1826 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry · 614 words
First lines
Where Time the measure of his hours By changeful bud and blossom keeps, And, like a young bride crowned with flowers, Fair Shiraz in her garden sleeps;
Where, to her poet's turban stone, The Spring her gift of flowers imparts, Less sweet than those his thoughts have sown In the warm soil of Persian hearts:
What this Textopian page supports
The Star of Bethlehem is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1826 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1826 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romanticism, Cultural Reflection
- Length: 614 words
- Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Star of Bethlehem by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work explores themes of faith, spirituality, and the contrast between different religious beliefs.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Nature Poetry — Nature imagery is prevalent throughout, depicting the beauty and symbolism of flowers and landscapes.
- Romanticism — The poem embodies Romantic ideals, emphasizing emotion, nature, and individual experience.
Tags
Poetry · Nativity · Christianity · Religion · Spirituality · Faith · Belief · Hope · Joy · Peace · Love · Christmas