Moonless darkness stands between.

Past, the Past, no more be seen!

But the Bethlehem star may lead me

To the sight of him who freed me

From the self that I have been.

Make me pure, Lord; thou art holy;

Make me meek; thou wert lowly;

Now beginning, and alway;

Now begin, on Christmas day.

– Gerard Manley Hopkins 1829-1844AD  Poet and Jesuit Priest.