Advent Calendar: The Oxen by Thomas Hardy

Today's poem was first published on Christmas Eve in 1915, when WWI was well underway and would continue to 1918. The poet recalls an old folk tradition in which oxen were said to kneel at midnight to mark the birth of Christ, whilst finding in himself only a faint hope and nostalgia for simpler times. 

Intro music: Santa's Lunchhour, DeeYanKey, Free Music Archives