Poems (Bushnell)/The Christmas Door

by Frances Louisa Bushnell

XXXVIII THE CHRISTMAS DOOR

All the year long the moon gives light,
And makes a silver day of night;
  But once a year
  She seems more near,—
Shows every night her steadfast face,
And fills the sky with tranquil grace.
'Tis hard to tell when day is done,
For day and night flow into one.

So Heaven shines downward all the while,
And lights us with its constant smile;
  But once a year
  It draws more near:
Wide open stands the shining door,
With gleams of light unseen before;
And all across flash glimpses fleet
Of upper joys and radiant feet.

'Tis ever so since love broke through,
And down the widening spaces flew;
  That blessed year
  Our Lord came near;
For him swung back the starry bound;
Deepened far up the great profound;
All Heaven swept outward at his birth,
And naught was narrow but the earth!

Now evermore he stands and waits
Some lifting of these lower gates;
  But once a year
  He waits more near:
Shall the blest door be thrown so wide,
And only we the entrance hide?
Unbar our hearts, make room within,
And let the holy Christmas in!