THE ADVENT OF CHRIST.
This lovely earth, which man, when pure, had found
A paradise, was now by sin's dark power
Reigning supreme, resounding with the voice
Of the oppressor, and the sad laments
Th' aggriev'd so vainly rais'd. As a cloud,
Iniquity o'ershadow'd every mind;
Their view was darken'd to the beauty seen
In holiness; and unbelief's dark chain
Had bound them fast: yet then, yet even then,
When sin had reign'd to death, and over all
The evil spirit spread his with'ring power,
Our God e'en then, as if to show a love
Unfailing for the sinful, sent his son,
The promis'd Saviour, to give light and life!
Night's shady robe had veil'd the Eastern land;
Yet in the field the watchful shepherds staid
To guard their flock, when there appear'd to them
An angel from on high. Oh, hear the words
That gentle spirit breath'd! What joy, what hope,
The heart believing feels as those soft sounds
Fall on the list'ning ear! "Fear not," said he:
"Good tidings of great joy to you I bring,
And they shall be to all: to you, this day,
In David's city, is a Saviour born."
Hear, hear the words that sweetly publish peace,
Impartial love, and mercy, to mankind!
Oh, hear, and let not doubt its shadow cast
Upon that hope which Heaven has given to man!
Oh, for an angel's voice to sing the song
Of bliss my spirit feels!—my praise is vain.
Well might celestial beings from above
Descend to shout the anthems of glad joy,—
To celebrate with praise to God the birth
Of Him ordain'd "the way, the truth, the life,"
The Saviour of the lost. It well became
The heavenly host to speak those rapturous words,
As the bright future which the gospel brings
Was all reveal'd! In harmony they said,
"Glory in the highest to our God,
Peace on earth, good-will to all mankind!"
The flag's triumphant folds, as years pass on,
Are slowly drooping, and then all the world
In sacred amity will soon be join'd.
Knowledge, rich treasure, lights the mind obscur'd,
Bringing sweet happiness, with hope, to man;
It points to God as father, and reveals
His love, his wisdom; and we learn to trust
In him, the Almighty Ruler, and our hearts,
O'erflowing with grateful praise, are nearer bound
To all around us. Light and joy and peace
Are dwelling in the plains; the wilderness
Is blooming as the rose. As the waters
O'er the broad sea, will knowledge spread her beams,
Till all from great to small shall know the Lord!
A paradise, was now by sin's dark power
Reigning supreme, resounding with the voice
Of the oppressor, and the sad laments
Th' aggriev'd so vainly rais'd. As a cloud,
Iniquity o'ershadow'd every mind;
Their view was darken'd to the beauty seen
In holiness; and unbelief's dark chain
Had bound them fast: yet then, yet even then,
When sin had reign'd to death, and over all
The evil spirit spread his with'ring power,
Our God e'en then, as if to show a love
Unfailing for the sinful, sent his son,
The promis'd Saviour, to give light and life!
Night's shady robe had veil'd the Eastern land;
Yet in the field the watchful shepherds staid
To guard their flock, when there appear'd to them
An angel from on high. Oh, hear the words
That gentle spirit breath'd! What joy, what hope,
The heart believing feels as those soft sounds
Fall on the list'ning ear! "Fear not," said he:
"Good tidings of great joy to you I bring,
And they shall be to all: to you, this day,
In David's city, is a Saviour born."
Hear, hear the words that sweetly publish peace,
Impartial love, and mercy, to mankind!
Oh, hear, and let not doubt its shadow cast
Upon that hope which Heaven has given to man!
Oh, for an angel's voice to sing the song
Of bliss my spirit feels!—my praise is vain.
Well might celestial beings from above
Descend to shout the anthems of glad joy,—
To celebrate with praise to God the birth
Of Him ordain'd "the way, the truth, the life,"
The Saviour of the lost. It well became
The heavenly host to speak those rapturous words,
As the bright future which the gospel brings
Was all reveal'd! In harmony they said,
"Glory in the highest to our God,
Peace on earth, good-will to all mankind!"
The flag's triumphant folds, as years pass on,
Are slowly drooping, and then all the world
In sacred amity will soon be join'd.
Knowledge, rich treasure, lights the mind obscur'd,
Bringing sweet happiness, with hope, to man;
It points to God as father, and reveals
His love, his wisdom; and we learn to trust
In him, the Almighty Ruler, and our hearts,
O'erflowing with grateful praise, are nearer bound
To all around us. Light and joy and peace
Are dwelling in the plains; the wilderness
Is blooming as the rose. As the waters
O'er the broad sea, will knowledge spread her beams,
Till all from great to small shall know the Lord!