Episode 242 : Hope in christmas Lyrics

Hope in Christmas Lyrics - episode 242

“...foil thy foes with joy” In this last episode for the Christmas season, I share about a song that I learned this year. The song, This Little Babe, was written by a Jesuit Priest in the late 1500s and then put to music in the 20th century. The battle cry to overcome Satan comes in the form of a baby. I share each verse of the song and how we can think about it in relation to the Christmas season. I especially love the quote by E.T. Sullivan about How God does his work. I am super grateful that I learned about this song and hope you enjoy it as well. I will see you in 2026!

Show Notes: Hi Friends! I hope you enjoyed listening to this episode. Below are all the references.

Key Topics

Why I chose to focus on a single Christmas song
Winter reflections, slowing down, and noticing small frustrations
Discovering “This Little Babe” through choir
The historical and spiritual background of the poem and music
Christ as the unexpected warrior
Hope, joy, and victory through humility rather than force
How Christmas music can deepen spiritual understanding

The Song: “This Little Babe”

Poem written by Robert Southwell, a Jesuit priest (1561–1595)
Set to music by Benjamin Britten as part of A Ceremony of Carols (1942)
Written during times of religious persecution and global war
Structured musically to sound like a battle cry
A dramatic contrast between vulnerability and power

Themes I Reflect On

God accomplishes great work in unexpected ways
Christ enters the world as a helpless baby, not a conquering warrior
Tears, cries, and humility become weapons of victory
Shepherds and angels as witnesses to divine truth
Joy as the means by which we “foil our foes
Hope rooted in Christ rather than circumstances

Key Quote Shared in the Episode

“When God wants a great work done in the world or a great wrong righted, He goes about it in a very unusual way… The greatest forces in the world are babies.”
— E. T. Sullivan

Full Lyrics: “This Little Babe”

Poem by Robert Southwell (1561–1595)

Verse 1
This little Babe, so few days old,
Is come to rifle Satan’s fold;
All hell doth at his presence quake,
Though he himself for cold do shake.
For in this weak, unarmèd wise,
The gates of hell he will surprise.

Verse 2
With tears he fights and wins the field;
His naked breast stands for a shield;
His battering shot are babish cries,
His arrows looks of weeping eyes;
His martial ensigns cold and need,
And feeble flesh his warrior’s steed.

Verse 3
His camp is pitched in a stall,
His bulwark but a broken wall;
The crib his trench, haystacks his stakes;
Of shepherds he his muster makes;
And thus, as sure his foe to wound,
The angels’ trumps alarum sound.

Verse 4
My soul, with Christ join thou in fight;
Stick to the tents that he hath pight.
Within his crib is surest ward;
This little Babe will be thy guard.
If thou wilt foil thy foes with joy,
Then flit not from this heavenly Boy.

Understanding the Language in “This Little Babe”

Because this poem was written in the late 1500s, some of the language can feel unfamiliar. Here are simple explanations for a few of the key words and phrases:

Rifle — to plunder or raid
“To rifle Satan’s fold” means to invade or overthrow Satan’s domain.
Fold — an enclosure for sheep
A biblical image referring to Satan’s control or territory.
Unarmèd wise — unarmed manner
Christ comes without weapons or physical protection.
Babish — childlike or infant
“Babish cries” refers to the crying of a baby.
Ensigns — banners or flags used in battle
“Martial ensigns cold and need” suggests weakness and poverty instead of strength and power.
Steed — a horse
“Feeble flesh his warrior’s steed” means Christ’s human body is the means by which He fights.
Bulwark — a defensive wall or fortification
A “broken wall” emphasizes vulnerability rather than strength.
Trench — a protective ditch used in battle
The crib becomes Christ’s place of defense.
Muster — to gather troops
“Of shepherds he his muster makes” means shepherds are the first called to witness Him.
Alarum — an alarm or call to battle
The angels announce Christ’s coming like a trumpet signaling war.
Pight — pitched or set up
“Tents that he hath pight” means the place where Christ has chosen to dwell.
Ward — protection or defense
“Surest ward” means the safest protection.
Foil — to defeat or frustrate
“Foil thy foes with joy” means to overcome enemies through joy.
Flit not — do not flee or turn away
A call to remain faithful and close to Christ.

Why This Language Matters

Southwell uses military imagery to show that Christ defeats evil not through violence or force, but through humility, joy, suffering, and love. The archaic language reinforces the contrast between what we expect from a warrior and the surprising way God chooses to save the world.

Personal Reflections

Singing this piece as part of a women’s choir
Why music helps truth settle into the heart differently than words alone
The contrast between “gentle” Christmas music and this bold, joyful war cry
How Christlike joy, faith, and compassion are our strongest defenses
Why Christmas reminds me that God always keeps His promises

Invitation

As Christmas approaches, I invite you to reflect on the ways Christ brings hope into your life — not through force or perfection, but through joy, humility, and love. If we want to overcome darkness in our own lives, we don’t do it by fighting like the world fights. We do it by clinging to Christ and choosing joy.