Christmas Part 3

HYMN FOR THE NATIVITY

EDWARD THRING

Happy night and happy silence downward softly stealing, Softly stealing over land and sea, Stars from golden censors swing a silent eager feeling Down on Judah, down on Galilee; And all the wistful air, and earth, and sky, Listened, listened for the gladness of a cry.

Holy night, a sudden flash of light its way is winging: Angels, angels, all above, around; Hark, the angel voices, hark, the angel voices singing; And the sheep are lying on the ground.

Lo, all the wistful air, and earth, and sky, Listen, listen to the gladness of the cry.

Happy night at Bethlehem; soft little hands are feeling, Feeling in the manger with the kine: Little hands, and eyelids closed in sleep, while angels kneeling, Mary mother, hymn the Babe Divine.

Lo, all the wistful air, and earth, and sky, Listen, listen to the gladness of the cry.

Wide, as if the light were music, flashes adoration: "Glory be to G.o.d, nor ever cease,"

All the silence thrills, and speeds the message of salvation: "Peace on earth, good-will to men of peace."

Lo, all the wistful air, and earth, and sky, Listen, listen to the gladness of the cry.

Holy night, thy solemn silence evermore enfoldeth Angels songs and peace from G.o.d on high: Holy night, thy watcher still with faithful eye beholdeth Wings that wave, and angel glory nigh, Lo, hushed is strife in air, and earth, and sky, Still thy watchers hear the gladness of the cry.

Praise Him, ye who watch the night, the silent night of ages: Praise Him, shepherds, praise the Holy Child; Praise Him, ye who hear the light, O praise Him, all ye sages; Praise Him, children, praise Him meek and mild.

Lo, peace on Earth, glory to G.o.d on high, Listen, listen to the gladness of the cry.

MASTERS IN THIS HALL

ANONYMOUS

"To Bethlem did they go, the shepherds three; To Bethlem did they go to see whe'r it were so or no, Whether Christ were born or no To set men free."

Masters, in this hall, Hear ye news to-day Brought over sea, And ever I you pray.

_Nowell! Nowell! Nowell! Nowell!

Sing we clear!

Holpen are all folk on earth, Born is G.o.d's Son so dear._

Going over the hills, Through the milk-white snow, Heard I ewes bleat While the wind did blow.

Nowell, &c.

Shepherds many an one Sat among the sheep; No man spake more word Than they had been asleep.

Nowell, &c.

Quoth I 'Fellows mine, Why this guise sit ye?

Making but dull cheer, Shepherds though ye be?

Nowell, &c.

'Shepherds should of right Leap and dance and sing; Thus to see ye sit Is a right strange thing.'

Nowell, &c.

Quoth these fellows then 'To Bethlem town we go, To see a Mighty Lord Lie in manger low.'

Nowell, &c.

'How name ye this Lord, Shepherds?' then said I.

'Very G.o.d' they said, 'Come from Heaven high.'

Nowell, &c.

Then to Bethlem town We went two and two, And in a sorry place Heard the oxen low.

Nowell, &c.

Therein did we see A sweet and goodly May, And a fair old man; Upon the straw she lay.

Nowell, &c.

And a little CHILD On her arm had she; 'Wot ye who this is?'

Said the hinds to me.

Nowell, &c.

Ox and a.s.s him know, Kneeling on their knee: Wondrous joy had I This little BABE to see.

Nowell, &c.

This is CHRIST the Lord, Masters, be ye glad!

Christmas is come in, And no folk should be sad.

Nowell, &c.

THE ADORATION OF THE WISE MEN

CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER

Saw you never in the twilight, When the sun had left the skies, Up in heaven the clear stars s.h.i.+ning, Through the gloom like silver eyes?

So of old the wise men watching, Saw a little stranger star, And they knew the King was given, And they follow'd it from far.

Heard you never of the story, How they cross'd the desert wild, Journey'd on by plain and mountain, Till they found the Holy Child?

How they open'd all their treasure, Kneeling to that Infant King, Gave the gold and fragrant incense, Gave the myrrh in offering?

Know ye not that lowly Baby Was the bright and morning star, He who came to light the Gentiles, And the darken'd isles afar?

And we too may seek his cradle, There our heart's best treasures bring, Love, and Faith, and true devotion, For our Saviour, G.o.d, and King.

THE SHEPHERDS IN JUDEA

MARY AUSTIN

Oh, the Shepherds in Judea, They are pacing to and fro, For the air grows chill at twilight And the weanling lambs are slow!

Leave, O lambs, the dripping sedges, quit the bramble and the brier, Leave the fields of barley stubble, for we light the watching fire; Twinkling fires across the twilight, and a bitter watch to keep, Lest the prowlers come a-thieving where the flocks unguarded sleep.

Oh, the Shepherds in Judea, They are singing soft and low-- Song the blessed angels taught them All the centuries ago!

There was never roof to hide them, there were never walls to bind; Stark they lie beneath the star-beams, whom the blessed angels find, With the huddled flocks upstarting, wondering if they hear aright, While the Kings come riding, riding, solemn shadows in the night.