Love's Prophecy Fulfilled

CASSIUS M. LOOMIS

Ring out, ye silvery chimes, this Christmas morn!
Once more on earth a Bethlehem babe is born.
The night is spent—a shadowy night of fear;
Love's mighty hosts in robes of white are here.
Ring out, ye bells of sinless joy, the word
Of Truth with gladdening songs of praise is heard.
Today, the "now" in history's page most dear,
Has dawned at last, mid sunshine bright and clear!

Yea, tell us of the night—the manger where
The babe was born—the wise men! were they there?
The shepherds, came they not to worship as of yore?
Pray tell us of the night that went before.
'Tis well ye ask. Though angels many came
And sang their songs of comfort in his name,
It was withal a night of shadows deep,
An hour when faithful hearts their vigils keep,
And, knowing God would hear, prayed on till morn;
The world had yet to know the Christ was born.
The shepherds? Yes, they came, and saw, and wept
For very joy. While mammon's hosts had slept
Love's warming glow had filled the mother's breast;
Her tireless faith in God had stood the test.

The wise men? Yes, they came; indeed, 'twere they
Whose shafts of boasted reason led the day.
Still, on the mother heart in secret fell
That wooing word of comfort, "All is well!"
The wise men came, but not as they of yore—
The learned wit, the scribe of fabled lore,
The careworn scholar and the lawyer keen,
Staid preachers many with their college dean—
No gifts of myrrh or frankincense brought they;
No Bethlehem star had led them on their way.

Ah, well, forgive them all! The sunlit east
Portends a day of thanks and joyous feast.
This Christmas morn the hosts of heaven shall hear
Our prayers of gratitude and songs of cheer.
The critic's day of arrant phrase is o'er;
The heart bowed low in grief shall weep no more;
The sick are healed, the sinful heart shall be
From error's hidden snares forever free.
Like sunshine golden on a desert sand
The Father gives to all with lavish hand.
His bounteous truths, with healing touch profound!
Have spread with onward march the whole world round!

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