December 25
Companions of the Way (Morning)We heard of IT at Ephratah.
LIKE small curled feathers, white and soft, The little clouds went by Across the moon, and past the stars, And down the western sky: In upland pastures, where the grass With frosted dew was white, Like snowy clouds the young sheep lay That first, best Christmas night.
With finger on her solemn lip, Night hushed the shadowy earth, And only stars and angels saw The little Saviour's birth; Then came such flash of silver light Across the bending skies, The wondering shepherds woke and hid Their frightened, dazzled eyes!
And all their gentle sleepy flock Looked up, then slept again, Nor knew the light that dimmed the stars Brought endless peace to men,— Nor even heard the gracious words That down the ages ring— "The Christ is born! The Lord has come, Goodwill on earth to bring!"
Then o'er the misty moonlit fields, Dumb with the world's great joy, The shepherds sought the white-walled town Where lay the baby boy— And oh, the gladness of the world, The glory of the skies, Because the longed-for Christ looked up In Mary's happy eyes!
MAR- GARET DELAND
CHRISTMAS