A Virgin Most Pure by L. Edna Walter
A carol declares that a pure virgin, as prophesied, has borne the Saviour to redeem mankind from Adam's sin. Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem in Jury to be taxed by Cesar's command, but find no lodging and are forced into a stable among oxen and asses. Mary wraps her newborn Son in fine linen and lays Him in an ox-manger. An angel sent from Heaven tells shepherds in the fields of the Saviour's birth, and a host of angels then appears, singing glory to God. Three wise princes resolve to lay rich offerings at the Saviour's feet, and the shepherds, going to Bethlehem, find all as told.
By L. Edna Walter · First published 1922 · Genre: Christmas Carol, Nativity Narrative, Religious/Sacred Poetry · 512 words
First lines
1. A virgin most pure, as the Prophet foretold, / Should bring forth a Saviour, which now we behold. / To be our Redeemer from death, hell, and sin, / Which Adam's transgression had wrappèd us in. / Rejoice and be merry, cast sorrow aside, / Christ Jesus, our Saviour, was born on this tide.
2. In Bethlehem city, in Jury it was / When Joseph and Mary together did pass / All for to be taxed with many one more, / For Cesar commanded the same should be so. / Rejoice and be merry, etc.
Similar titles
Genres
- Christmas Carol — A traditional festive song celebrating Christ's birth with the repeated refrain, designed for holiday singing and celebration.
- Nativity Narrative — The text tells the complete story of Jesus's birth, from the prophecy through the arrival of the wise men, in chronological narrative form.
- Religious/Sacred Poetry — Devotional verse centered on Christian theology, the incarnation, and salvation, written to inspire spiritual reflection and rejoicing.
- Hymn — Structured as a liturgical hymn with verse-refrain form, intended for group singing within religious worship and celebration.
Tags
Christmas carol · Nativity · Jesus Christ · Mary · Joseph · Bethlehem · Judea · Shepherds · Angels · Three Wise Men · Stable · Manger
What this Textopian page supports
A Virgin Most Pure is listed on Textopian as a poem by L. Edna Walter, dated 1922 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: L. Edna Walter
- Date: 1922 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Christmas Carol, Nativity Narrative, Religious/Sacred Poetry, Hymn, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 512 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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