NATIVITY
- I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men. - I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men. - And in despair I bowed my head:
'There is no peace on earth,' I said,
'For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men.' - Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
'God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men:' - Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
A-men.
51 | Christians, Lo, the Star Appeareth | ||||
(BEECHER ) | |||||
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Christians, lo, the star appeareth;
Lo, 'tis yet Messiah's day;
Still with tribute treasure laden
Come the wise men on their way.
Where a life is spent in service,
Walking where the Master trod,
There is scattered myrrh most fragrant
For the blessed Christ of God.- Whoso bears his brother's burden,
Whoso shares another's woe,
Brings his frankincense to Jesus
With the men of long ago.
When we soothe earth's weary children,
Tending best the least of them,
'Tis the Lord himself we worship
Bringing gold to Bethlehem.
James A. Blaisdell, 1900
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