Poems (Jordan)/The Christ-mass
THE CHRIST-MASS
The mere glad thought of giving, opes
The stable for the Savior's birth;
Who gives, and he who only hopes
For others' weal, brings Christ to earth.
The stable for the Savior's birth;
Who gives, and he who only hopes
For others' weal, brings Christ to earth.
Enswathed in ev'ry kindly deed
The Lord again in flesh appears;
'Gainst Bethl'hem's door no churchly creed,
With holy hands, forbiddance rears!
The Lord again in flesh appears;
'Gainst Bethl'hem's door no churchly creed,
With holy hands, forbiddance rears!
Cradled in ev'ry love-warm gift
The Babe, Whose coming they portray,
And all who these receive, but lift
Him to their hearts and lives, Today!
The Babe, Whose coming they portray,
And all who these receive, but lift
Him to their hearts and lives, Today!
And all who have no thing to give,
If they but have the giving will,
May, with those who no thing receive,
Keep Bethl'hem's angels singing, still!
If they but have the giving will,
May, with those who no thing receive,
Keep Bethl'hem's angels singing, still!
Hearts need no outward sign, to show
Remembrance of God's blessed Son,—
Who Him receives, or gives, doth know
The Christ-mass—Love's Communion!
Remembrance of God's blessed Son,—
Who Him receives, or gives, doth know
The Christ-mass—Love's Communion!