15+ Meaningful Poems about Christianity

(15 to start, 175+ to explore)

Christian poetry holds a significant place within the realm of literary expression, encompassing a wide range of themes related to faith, spirituality, and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Through the artful use of language and imagery, these poems explore the depths of Christian beliefs and offer readers a profound connection to their faith. They inspire contemplation, reverence, and introspection, inviting individuals to reflect on their relationship with God and the transformative power of divine love.

Poems about Christianity Visual Representation

Poem Explorer Poetry Archives

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Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness

by John Donne

‘Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness’ by John Donne is written from the perspective of a dying man hoping to gain access to heaven.

This is a popular poem written in devotion to God from the perspective of a dying man. The man addresses God expressing his hope that he makes it into Heaven.

Since I am coming to that holy room,

Where, with thy choir of saints for evermore,

I shall be made thy music; as I come

I tune the instrument here at the door,

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"> 98/100

The Altar

by George Herbert

Herbert’s ‘The Altar’ merges poetry and piety, shaping words into a sacred altar built from a devoted heart and tears for divine worship.

This is a well-known Christian poem written by religious poet George Herbert. It is a direct and devotional poem that depicts the speaker’s desire to make a sacrifice similar to that which Christ made on the cross.

That if I chance to hold my peace,

These stones to praise thee may not cease.

Oh, let thy blessed SACRIFICE be mine,

And sanctify this ALTAR to be thine.

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They are all Gone into the World of Light

by Henry Vaughan

‘They are all Gone into the World of Light’ by Henry Vaughan describes a speaker’s longing to understand what death is and where his loved ones have gone.

Vaughan's poem is deeply rooted in Christian theology, exploring themes of resurrection and eternal life. His use of biblical imagery and concepts reflects a profound engagement with Anglican spirituality. The poet's ability to blend personal experience with religious doctrine creates a work that is both intimately felt and universally resonant.

They are all gone into the world of light!

And I alone sit ling’ring here;

Their very memory is fair and bright,

And my sad thoughts doth clear.

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Genre: Old English

"> 96/100

Cædmon’s Hymn

by Cædmon

‘Caedmon’s Hymn’ was sung by a lay worker, Caedmon, from the estate of the monastery of Whitby when the voice of God came to him.

Now we must praise heaven-kingdom's Guardian,

The Measurer’s might and his mind-plans,

The work of the Glory-Father, when he of wonders of every one

Eternal Lord, the beginning established

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Nationality: English

Themes: Nature, Spirituality

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Christianity

God

Creativity, Life, Life Lessons, Light, Sky

Form: Petrarchan Sonnet

"> 94/100

God’s Grandeur

by Gerard Manley Hopkins

‘God’s Grandeur’ contrasts human impact with divine nature’s resilience, using imagery and musical language to evoke hope.

The poet expresses his belief that the world is changed due to God’s presence. He contrasts humanity’s presence on earth, the natural world, and God’s loving presence within his creation. While the poem does, briefly, present a pessimist a picture of the world and ends with a more optimistic note about the future.

The world is charged with the grandeur of God.

It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;

It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil

Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?

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Nationality: American

Themes: Beauty, Nature

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Earth, Peace, Sky, Soul

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God’s World

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

‘God’s World’ by Edna St. Vincent Millay describes the wonders of nature and the value a speaker places on the sights she observes.

This is a modern lyric poem that speaks on nature and the importance of everything God created. The speaker wants to hold the earth to her and keep it close as possible. The world and all its landscapes are important to her.

O world, I cannot hold thee close enough!

Thy winds, thy wide grey skies!

Thy mists, that roll and rise!

Thy woods, this autumn day, that ache and sag

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Ash Wednesday

by T.S. Eliot

In rich poetic language, ‘Ash Wednesday’ presents the spiritual struggle of an alienated individual lacking faith in decayed modern culture.

'Ash Wednesday' was the first major long work of Eliot published after his conversion in 1927. Due to its extensive reference to Christianity and reflections on Eliot's spiritual journey and conversion, the poem is often known as the "conversion poem." Some critics even discarded the poem for being a piece of orthodox Christianity.

Because I do not hope to turn again

Because I do not hope

Because I do not hope to turn

Desiring this man's gift and that man's scope

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Nationality: English

Theme: Religion

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God

Philosophical

Genre: Lyric

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To Find God

by Robert Herrick

‘To Find God’ uses nature’s wonders to suggest the divine’s presence, urging reflection on the unseen through the seen.

This poem is centered on the question of God’s existence. The speaker does not claim to know one way or another if God exists. Instead, he simply asks the question and lets readers be inspired by his imagery.

Weigh me the fire; or canst thou find

A way to measure out the wind?

Distinguish all those floods that are

Mixed in that wat’ry theater,

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The Creation

by James Weldon Johnson

‘The Creation’ is one of the famous poems by James Weldon Johnson, an American writer, and civil rights activist. This poem depicts the story of Genesis in a pellucid manner.

This is a well-known Johnson poem that depicts the story of Genesis from the Christian bible. It contains a human-like image of God, the man behind the creation. According to the speaker, God felt lonely and was inspired to create the earth. But, he was not satisfied until he made humans.

And God stepped out on space,

And he looked around and said:

I'm lonely—

I'll make me a world.

#10

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The Little Black Boy

by William Blake

‘The Little Black Boy’ by William Blake is a difficult poem. It delves into topics of race, racism, and slavery from the perspective of an 18th-century poet.

Christianity is the foundation of the poem, as the mother instills in her child the belief that God’s love transcends racial differences. Blake uses Christian imagery to convey that the boy’s dark skin is a temporary condition and that all souls will be equal before God: ‘And round my golden tent like lambs rejoice.’

My mother bore me in the southern wild,

And I am black, but O! my soul is white;

White as an angel is the English child:

But I am black as if bereav'd of light.

#11

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Nationality: American

Themes: Nature, Religion

Emotions: Faith, Gratitude, Happiness

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Christianity

God, Hard Times, Peace, Prayer

Form: Quatrain

Genre: Lyric

"> 89/100

A Thank-Offering

by Ella Higginson

‘A Thank-Offering’ by Ella Higginson is addressed to God. It outlines all the beautiful sights and sounds in a speaker’s everyday life and thanks to God for creating them.

This is a beautiful poem that gives thanks to God for all the world has to offer. Higginson uses direct, easy-to-read language while sharing her beliefs.

Lord God, the winter has been sweet and brief

In this fair land;

For us the budded willow and the leaf,

The peaceful strand.

#12

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Anorexic

by Eavan Boland

‘Anorexic’ by Eavan Boland presents a woman determined to destroy her physical body through starvation while alluding to the original sin.

Boland’s poem has a number of references to the Christian Bible. These include the concept of original sin, the creation of Adam and Eve, the serpent, Adam’s rib cage, and the fall. The speaker of this piece expresses her strong urge to return to her original sinless state and purge her body of sin.

Flesh is heretic.

My body is a witch.

I am burning it.

#13

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Nationality: American

Themes: Love, Religion

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Christianity

God

Peace

Form: Free Verse

"> 87/100

Savior

by Maya Angelou

‘Savior’ by Maya Angelou is a thoughtful religious poem. It explores the past and present while emphasizes the changes that have occurred since Christ was crucified.

Angelou’s speaker suggests that the true essence of the faith which is discussed in this poem has been lost.

Petulant priests, greedy

centurions, and one million

incensed gestures stand

between your love and me.

#14

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Goblin Market

by Christina Rossetti

Christina Rossetti’s ‘Goblin Market,’ narrates the fantastical tale of Laura and Lizzie, delving into sin, redemption, and sisterhood.

The poem appeals to Victorian religious sensibilities with biblical allusions, as Victorians deeply respected Christian morality. Laura's temptation and the goblins' fruits are reminiscent of the original sin, while her eventual suffering and recovery allude to repentance, redemption, and resurrection due to Lizzie's Christ-like sacrifice. Notably, the poem undoes the gendered aspect of the roles in Christianity as Lizzie becomes the female Christ and redeemer for Laura with her deep compassion and self-sacrifice while reminding us of the Last Supper when offering fruit juice to Laura. Moreover, Rossetti was a devoted Anglo-Catholic and was associated with Christian welfare organizations, particularly the sisters of the 19th century.

Morning and evening

Maids heard the goblins cry:

“Come buy our orchard fruits,

Come buy, come buy:

#15

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Genre: Old English

"> 86/100

The Dream of the Rood

by Undefined Poet

‘Dream of the Rood’ is a religious poem that presents a dream in which the cross talks about its journey from a tree to the crucifixion.

What I wish to say of the best of dreams,

what came to me in the middle of the night

after the speech-bearers lie biding their rest!

It seemed to me that I saw the greatest tree

Poems about Christianity FAQs

There are large sections of poetry within the Bible. Not to mention the Proverbs and Psalms. For example, ‘Psalm 84‘ and ‘Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd’ by King David of Israel.

To write a Christian poem, a poet needs to analyze what Christianity means to them. The vast majority of Christian poems, especially those which easily fall under this categorization, are written by poets of a Christian faith. This means it is important to review the meaning of your face and beliefs in the text.

A religious poem is any piece of writing that uses poetic language and is inspired by religious themes. It does not have to be particularly devotional in nature to be religious.

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