The sweet-faced moon reflects, on cheerless night,

The rays of hidden sun that rise to-morrow;

So, unseen God still lets his promised light,

Through holy Mary, shine upon our sorrow.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

By Mary A. O’Reilly

Night in the far Judean land,

The pregnant air is still,

The sky one blue unclouded band,

Seems drooping o’er each hill.