Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHRISTMAS, by MARIA JAMES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHRISTMAS, by                    
First Line: Let us chaunt the solemn lay
Last Line: "peace on earth, -- good-will to man!'"
Subject(s): Christmas; Nativity, The


LET us chaunt the solemn lay,
Let us celebrate the day,
Hail with joy the auspicious morn,
When the Son of Man was born.

Eastern sages, journeying far,
Saw ye not that beauteous star
Shed its brightest, purest ray,
Where the King of Glory lay?

Shepherds on Judea's plain,
Heard ye not the blissful strain,
When the messengers of light
Broke the silence of the night?

Babe of Beth'lem, lowly laid!
Angels hover round thy bed,
Pausing o'er the tuneful lyre,
As they wonder and admire.

Hope of Israel! welcome thou!
Every tribe to thee shall bow,
Every tongue thy right proclaim,
Every land adore thy name.

Prince of Peace! thy reign shall be
Wide as earth from sea to sea;
Where is now nor love nor fear,
There thy glorious standard rear.

Where the western wilds have lain.
Ages bound in erro's chain,
There, thy saving power they prove
There, they chaunt redeeming love

Ethiopia's vail is riven;
Lo, she lifts her hands to heaven!
See her raise the imploring eye!
Hear her sable offspring cry: --

"Pour, oh pour the matchless strain,
Sounded once on Judah's plain!
Sweetest song since time began:
'Peace on earth, -- good-will to man!'"





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