A Christmas Song

MARY J. ELMENDORF.

Almighty God, Who lit the Star
That led the shepherd-kings of old
To Bethlehem afar,
Back to His hillside fold
Gathers the sheep that scattered are.

His guiding Star still shines above
The anchored ark of peace sublime.
Behold, its shafts of love
Dissolve sin's ice and rime.
And show, beneath, His blossom-trove.

God heralds far the Holy Birth,
Razing the walls of pagan night;
He hushes winds of dearth,
And laves with healing light—
Sweet light—each darkened rood of earth.

The shadowed eye He helps to see,
The stumbling feet to seek His Son;
He bids them falter not nor flee
Until the path be done;
Yea, though it lie through Calvary.

Earthward His clarion angels call
The Christ-evangel—concord deep
And charity to all—
The while wan sorrows sleep,
And fear and pain, like dead leaves, fall.

The patient heart, starred o'er with prayer,
God sweeps with songs of radiance keen;
He makes it strong and fair—
A manger, lowly, clean—
And lays the new-born Saviour there.