The Contrast
by Paul Purdayhttps://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PaulPurdayPaintings?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
The smells and odours of a cattle-shed
Filled all the air, and where the Baby lay
Dark were the feet of him who to the door would tread
Behind that door was One he sought to slay.
For Jesus came to our depravity
The sinful, brooding darkness of the world
The fetid cattle-shed, and sin's debris
Is where the gloomy clouds of portent swirled.
His light appeared in darkness of the earth
The sweet perfume of heaven filled our space
The contrast of His Light and glorious worth
Would bring to us the scent of sovereign Grace.
The sound of angels' singing filled the air
Scent, sound and Light, so beautiful, to know
For He who knew no sin, arrived to wear
our clothes, in this great contrast here below.
For He, whose Light and sinlessness would move
with robes of white, among the sins of man
The Greatest Light met darkest dark to prove
The greatest contrast known since time began.
The Cross would show, how man would deal his worst
To quench that Light, when He in death would lie
Death could not hold Him, when the grave He burst
His savour, Light and Life will never die.
This poem was a finalist in the
December 2025 poetry contest
