Through this popular novel Montgomery shares her own attitudes about faith through the developing faith of her protagonist. She skillfully expresses criticism of the church formality of her day through Anne’s innocent observations. We smile when Anne first arrives at the Cuthberts’, because she knows nothing about prayer, and is hesitant to pray to the god who made her hair red. Despite her impulsive outburst, Anne is continually drawn to God through the beauty of nature; her awestruck expressions are rebukes to us and our wonder-numb eyes.
Anne says, “Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray I'd tell you what I'd do. I'd go out into a great big field all alone or in the deep, deep woods and I'd look up into the sky—up—up—up—into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness. And then I'd just feel a prayer."
Lucy Maud Montgomery doesn’t leave Anne’s spirituality vague, but presents positive Christian characters, including Reverend Allan and his wife, whom Ann delights in, saying, “I'd like to be a Christian if I could be one like her.”
The following poem first appeared in The Ladies’ World, December 1902, and is from her collection, The Watchman and Other Poems (McClelland, Goodchild & Stewart, 1916).
The Christmas Night
Wrapped was the world in slumber deep,
By seaward valley and cedarn steep,
And bright and blest were the dreams of its sleep;
All the hours of that wonderful night-tide through
The stars outblossomed in fields of blue,
A heavenly chaplet, to diadem
The King in the manger of Bethlehem.
Out on the hills the shepherds lay,
Wakeful, that never a lamb might stray,
Humble and clean of heart were they;
Thus it was given them to hear
Marvellous harpings strange and clear,
Thus it was given them to see
The heralds of the nativity.
In the dim-lit stable the mother mild
Looked with holy eyes on her child,
Cradled him close to her heart and smiled;
Kingly purple nor crown had he,
Never a trapping of royalty;
But Mary saw that the baby's head
With a slender nimbus was garlanded.
Speechless her joy as she watched him there,
Forgetful of pain and grief and care,
And every thought in her soul was a prayer;
While under the dome of the desert sky
The Kings of the East from afar drew nigh,
And the great white star that was guide to them
Kept ward o'er the manger of Bethlehem.
*This is the second Kingdom Poets post about Lucy Maud Montgomery: first post.
Entry written by D.S. Martin. He is the author of six poetry collections including Angelicus (2021, Poiema/Cascade), plus three anthologies — available through Wipf & Stock. His new book The Role of the Moon, inspired by the Metaphysical Poets, is now available from Paraclete Press.
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