The First Christmas   Before the paling of the stars, Before the winter morn, Before the earliest cockcrow, Jesus Christ was born: Born in a stable, Cradled in a manger, In the world His hands had made Born a stranger.   Priest and king lay fast asleep In Jerusalem, Young and old lay fast asleep In crowded Bethlehem; Saint and Angel, ox and ass, Kept a watch together Before the Christmas daybreak In the winter weather.   Jesus on His mother's breast In the stable cold, Spotless Lamb of God was He, Shepherd of the fold: Let us kneel with Mary maid, With Joseph bent and hoary, With Saint and Angel, ox and ass, To hail the King of Glory.   -- Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) -------------------------