The Shepherds.
THE men, who watched the sheep that night,
Were seated on the ground,
When a glorious light from heaven
Shone brightly all around.
And, lo! an angel of the Lord
Appeared before their eyes,
And they were filled with sore affright,
With wonder and surprise.
The angel said to them: "Fear not,
For I have come to tell
News of the joyfullest event
The world has e'er befell.
"For, this day, unto you is born,
In David's' city fair,
A Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord,
And David's lineal heir.
"And this shall be a sign to you
That true is what I've said:
You'll find the babe in swaddling clothes,
And in a manger laid."
Then suddenly a crowd appeared
Of spirits, bright and fair,
And their glad voices, praising God,
Resounded through the air.
"Glory to God," they sweetly chant,
Who reigns in highest heaven,
And peace on earth for evermore,
And love to men be given.
Thus singing, shining, up they went
Away to heaven again;
And night and silence were restored
To ancient Bethlehem's plain.
"Come," said the shepherds, "let us go
Into the city old,
And see the strange, mysterious child,
Of whom we have been told."
And, leaving there their flocks, they went
Into the town near by;
And found the babe, as they had heard,
His gentle mother nigh.
And, having seen him, they made known,
To people all abroad,
The things that had been told to them
About the Son of God.
The people listened to the news
With very great surprise,
The wondrous things the shepherds heard,
And witnessed with their eyes.
But these strange things within her heart
The mother kept concealed,
And pondered o'er them, nor her thoughts
To any she revealed.
The shepherds, thrilled with gladness, praised
The God of heaven above,
For all things they had heard and seen
Of His unbounded love.