Poems (Kimball)/A Little Christmas Sermon

by Harriet McEwen Kimball

A LITTLE CHRISTMAS SERMON.

CHILDREN dear, I heard ye say:
"Morrows, haste and haste away
Bring the merry Christmas Day!

"Blithest Carol, sweetest Chime,
Hearts that dance to peal and rhyme,
Welcome in the happy time!

"Starry Tree, shine out anew,
Glittering as with golden dew,
Gay with fruits of every hue!"

This is what ye said, I trow:
Little children, hearken now
Ere ye pluck the freighted bough;

Ponder what the Carols mean;
What the Chime rung out between,
What the laden Evergreen.

"Glory be to God Most High !"
Sang His angels in the sky
When the Lord to men drew nigh.

"Peace on earth—good will and peace,
Love shall reign, and wrong shall cease;
He is born,—the Prince of Peace!"

Just for love of us He came,
Took His sweetly tender Name—
Jesus! stoopèd to our shame.

I will save you,"—thus He said
"I am Life; your life is dead;
I will give you life instead!"

Little children, closest pressed
To the loving Saviour's breast,
Surely ye must love Him best!

This is love—to do His will;
Speaking truth; forsaking ill;
Bearing and forbearing still;

Battling selfishness within
(Where He only sees the sin)
Till through Him at last ye win;

Sorrowing over evil wrought—
Open deed or secret thought;
Straightway doing as ye ought;

Blessing all for His dear sake,
As His blessing ye partake;
Happier, thus, His world to make.

This is love; a service light,
Done with all your little might:
None shall fail to do it right.

Let your little hearts reply
To the angels in the sky:
"Love shall reign eternally!

"God is love forevermore;
Love we Him, and Him adore
In the Christ-Child born of yore."

Let your lives ring out His praise
Like a chime His finger sways:
Sweet as carols be your days.

Beautiful with holiness,
Let your daily deeds confess
In whose Name ye seek to bless.

This is what the Carols mean;
What the Chime rung clear between
What the bounteous Evergreen.