202. C. M. E. H. Sears.
Christmas Hymn.
1Calm on the listening ear of night
Come heaven's melodious strains,
Where wild Judea stretches far
Her silver-mantled plains!
2The answering hills of Palestine
Send back the glad reply;
And greet, from all their holy heights,
The dayspring from on high
3O'er the blue depths of Galilee
There comes a holier calm,
And Sharon waves, in solemn praise,
Her silent groves of palm.
4"Glory to God!" the sounding skies
Loud with their anthems ring,--
Peace to the earth,--good-will to men,
From heaven's eternal King!"
5Light on thy hills, Jerusalem!
The Saviour now is born!
And bright on Bethlehem's joyous plains
Breaks the first Christmas morn.