| A CHRISTMAS CAROL |
It chanced upon the merry, merry Christmas eve I went sighing past the church, across the moorland dreary,-- "Oh! never sin and want and woe this earth will leave, And the bells but mock the wailing round, they sing so cheery. How long, O Lord, how long, before Thou come again? Still in cellar, and in garret, and on moorland dreary, The orphans moan, and widows weep, and poor men toil in vain, Till the earth is sick of hope deferred, though Christmas bells be cheery." Then arose a joyous clamor from the wild fowl on the mere, Beneath the stars, across the snow, like clear bells ringing, And a voice within cried, "Listen! Christmas carols even here! Though thou be dumb, yet o'er their work the stars and snows are singing. Blind! I live, I love, I reign; and all the nations through With the thunder of my judgments even now are ringing; Do thou fulfill thy work, but as yon wild fowl do, Thou wilt heed no less the wailing yet hear through it angels singing." |
| --Charles Kingsley. |
THE HOLY FAMILY
By Carl Mueller
| "Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child, Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled, Within my heart that it may be, A quiet chamber kept for Thee. "My heart for very joy doth leap, My lips no more can silence keep; I, too, must sing with joyful tongue That sweetest ancient cradle song." |
| --Martin Luther |
| SONG OF THE ANGELS |
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down; And glory shone around. "Fear not," said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled minds; "Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind. "To you, in David's town, this day, Is born of David's line, The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; And this shall be the sign: "The heavenly babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands And in a manger laid." Thus spoke the seraph, and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels, praising God, and thus Addressed their joyful song: "All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace; Good-will henceforth from heaven to men Begin, and never cease." |
| --Ancient Christmas Song. |