Nativity

"And the angel said unto them, "Fear not; for behold I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you
is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord."
(Luke 2:10-11)

African Madonna and Child

Carlos Maraz

Spanish artist

Image courtesy/Zazzle/Pinterest

With a native hut, ere stirred the dawn,

Unto the Pure One was an Infant born,

Wrapped in blue lappah that His mother dyed,

Laid on His father's home-tanned deerskin hide,

The Babe still slept, by all things glorified.

Spirits of black bards burst their bonds and sang

"Peace upon the earth: until the heavens rang.

All the black babies whom from earth had fled

Peeped through the clouds, then gathered round His head.

Telling of things a baby needs to do,

When first he opens his eyes on wonders new;

Telling Him that to sleep was sweeter rest,

All comfort came from his black mother's breast.

The gifts were of Love, caught from the springing sod,

Whilst tears and laughter were the gifts of God.

Then all the Wise Men of the past stood forth,

Filling the air East, West, and South and North,

And told Him of the joys that wisdom brings

To mortals in their earthly wanderings.

The children of the past shook down each bough,

Wreathed frangipani blossoms for His brow,

They put pink lilies in His mother's hand,

And heaped for both the first fruits of the land.

His father cut some palm fronds, that the air

Be coaxed to zephyrs while He rested there.

Birds trilled their hallelujahs, and the dew

Trembled with laughter, till the Babe laughed too.

All the black women brought their love so wise,

And kissed their motherhood into His mother's eyes.

"Nativity"
(1927)
From West African Melodies
Gladys May Casely Hayford
Aquah Laluah
(1904-1950)
Gold Coast- born Sierra Leonean writer
Teacher of African folklore and literature