Set To Music

It stands to reason
If a man is dead
He cannot live again.

It stands to reason
If a woman bears a child
She is no virgin.

As for the stable, manger, ox and ass,
Comedy–shepherds, kings
Making laborious journeys,
Guiding themselves, like swallows
By a star;
That's a good story,
Fine for illuminated texts
Or stained glass windows.

Strange then,
That sitting in this candled,
Flower–scented church,
While orchestra and choir declare,
Vehemently, over and over,
‘Unto us
A child is given:
Unto us
A son is born’ —
Reason
Like a small lump of ore
Is smelted down
In the white heat of Handel's passion,
'Til the whole tale seems undeniable.