If Christ Should Come Again

 If Christ Should Come Again
By John T. McFarland
If Christ should come again tonight,
If we should wake and hear the song
Of angels chanting in the light,
And we should see the radiant throng-

If on the calm of wintry air
Should speak again the seraph's voice, 
''Behold, good news to all I bear,
Let all the sons of men rejoice -

''The Christ has come again to earth,
Not now, as once, through gates of pain,
A babe in manger come to earth,
But crowned as King, he comes to reign''-

Would we arise in haste and go,
The light of wonder in our eyes,
And kneel and pay him reverence low,
Knowing our King in any guise?

* * * * * *

If there should rise for us a star,
A star of wondrous golden light,
And beckon us to lands afar,
And lead the way beyond our sight -

And in our hearts a voice should say, 
''This star will pause above a throne:
Faint not, but follow all the way,
To thee the King shall be made known'' -

Would we across the deserts fare,
As fared the Wise Men once of old,
Would we our treasures gladly bear,
Our myrrh, frankincense, and our gold?

And would we bow on reverent knee,
And hail him highest Lord and King,
Pledge faith and constant loyalty,
Our hearts a living offering?

* * * * * *

If Christ should come again and stand,
As once he stood by Galilee,
And to the fishers gave command, 
Leave boats and nets and follow me'' -

Would we with undivided mind,
Like Peter, quickly make our choice,
An, unregretting, leave behind
All things, and in the loss rejoice?

Would we go forth as those who heard
The Lord's command on Olives' hill,
To carry far the saving Word.
And all his purposes fulfill?

* * * * * *

Lo! Christ comes even to the least,
For each the angels grandly sing,
His star hangs ever in the east,
And each his tribute still may bring.

Still treads the Christ through marts of trade,
Still walks he on the stormy sea,
And says, ''Tis I, be not afraid,''
And still, ''Leave all and follow me.''

He comes at dusk of eventide,
When in our homes from toil we cease,
And shows again Love's palm and side,
And lifts his hand and speaks his peace.

And still is Olive's height for each,
And still for each the great command, 
''Go forth in every tongue to teach;

The cross proclaim in every land.''

Life's common ways exalted are,
Life's common work is made sublime,
By light that falls from Christmas star,
And melody of Christmas chime.

Because by sea and winding stream
The Lord Christ's footsteps still are pressed,
Earth keeps the glory of a dream,
The world and all that is are blest.

Because we hear with Christly ears,
An anthem throbs through all the earth,
A hope that swallows all our fears
Sings ever with the Lord Christ's birth.

The Lord is here, not far away,
He comes to bide from realms above;
And life is one long Christmas Day,
That binds us to immortal Love.

The Star

THE STAR.

The world was wrapped in darkest night,
Men groped about in search of light;
And feeling oft like one that's blind,
They sought a glimpse of light to find.

And while they sought with mind intense,
The darkness seemed to grow more dense
When, sudden, in the heavens afar,
Appeared a brilliant, trembling star.

It threw such light upon the earth,
The planet seemed to have new birth;
It shone on mountain, vale and brook,
And penetrated every nook.

It drove men from their sinful lair,
They could not brook its steady glare;
But gave to timid souls a sense
Of safety, rest and peace intense.

And it was warmth as well as light,
It brought much cheer and stayed much blight;
It gave us food and raiment too,
And fell upon the earth like dew.

Sweet flowers sprang up to greet its birth,
A rainbow spanned the wondering earth;
The angels sang with mighty voice,
" There's light on earth, let all rejoice;
This is the star of Bethlehem!"
And earth replied, Amen ! Amen ! 

Christmas Bells

 CHRISTMAS BELLS.

The earth is robed in garments white,
And hearts are singing with delight
To greet the Christmas morn;
This is the day of all the year,
Because it brings such goodly cheer,
This day when Christ was born.

Let all the bells ring merrily
To greet its advent cheerily,
This merry Christmas day;
May open hands and hearts be found
To scatter brightness all around,
In one effulgent ray.

Let's hasten to the hungry poor,
To drive the wolf from off the door,
That they may merry be;
Let's scatter blessings far and near,
To every hearthstone bring some cheer,
That Jesus Christ may see.

We hail the day with joyous heart,
We bid the world with us take part,
And celebrate His birth.
So ring, sweet bells, your silvery song,
Commemorating all day long,
The gladdest day on earth.

The Birthday Of Christ

THE BIRTHDAY OF CHRIST.

Early on the Christmas morn,
Night her veil had just withdrawn;
Angels chanted loud and clear,
" Wake ! awake ! the Lord is near!"

Now the wise men's weary feet,
Hastened on with step more fleet,
As the voices swelled their lay,
" Christ the Lord is born to-day."

With their eyes fixed on the star
Onward gazed the men afar;
Sweet the angels sang again,
" Peace on earth, good will to men.'

Now the wise men's footsteps stay,
Angels hush their chanting lay;
Joy and adoration blend,
As above the stall they bend.

Think you, in the infant wail,
Heard they echo of the nail
Driven in His tender form?
Did they think for that He's born?

Nay! the halo round His head
Fixed their steadfast gaze instead;
Not alone for death and shame,
Ridicule and scorn and blame;

But as royal Prince of Peace,
Medium of sin's release;
To be glorified He came,
And to glorify God's name. 

Prepare The Way

 PREPARE THE WAY.

Bring evergreen and cedar bough,
Fresh gathered from the mountain brow;
Bring holly branch and berries red
To strew upon the path He'll tread;
He's sure to come in by and bye,
Unseen, perchance, by mortal eye,
But if we'll listen, as we pray,
We'll hear His sweet voice softly say,
"Lo, Jesus comes your soul to save,
To overcome death and the grave;
To cheer your hearts and calm your fears,
To give you blessings, wipe your tears;
To rescue all from sin and strife
To purchase you eternal life.

'Tis well you greet my natal day
With emblems green in bright display;
I'm glad my footsteps hither came,
I'm glad to meet here, poor and lame, 
These little ones, the aged too,
Whom you have bid to share with you
This festival of joy and mirth,
You have prepared to greet my birth:
For this you've done for me in love,
I'll share with you my home above."
And then so silently He'll go,
He'll leave no footprint on the snow,
But on our hearts He'll leave a trace
Of His sweet peace and loving grace.

A New Year Wish

 A NEW YEAR WISH

EVER may the Father send thee
More than fondest love can pray;
May His love and power defend thee
And His presence still attend thee
For thy farthest pilgrim way.

Better than thy best endeavor
Ever may thy future prove;
Evil touch or harm thee never,
Richest blessing crown thee ever,
Ending in the bliss above.

All Saint's Day

All Saint's Day

from Hickes' Devotions

Wake, all my hopes, lift up your eyes
And crown your heads with mirth:
See how they shine beyond the skies,
Who once dwelt on our earth.

Peace, busy thoughts; away, vain cares,
That cloy us here below:
Let us go up above the spheres,
And to each order bow.

Hail, glorious Angels, heirs of light,
The high born sons of fire;
Whose heats burn chaste, whose flames shine bright,
All joy, yet all desire.

Hail, holy Saints, who long in hope,
Long in the shadow sate;
Till our victorious Lord set ope
Heaven's everlasting gate.

Hail, great Apostles of the Lamb,
Who brought that early ray,
Which from our Sun reflected came,
And made our first fair day.

Hail, generous Martyrs, whose strong hearts
Bravely rejoiced to prove,
How weak, pale Death, are all thy darts
Compared to those of Love.  

Hail, blessed Confessors, who died
A death too, love did give;
While your own flesh you crucified,
To make your Spirit live.

Hail, beauteous Virgins, whose chaste love
Renounced all fond desires;
Who wisely fixed your hearts above;
And burnt with heavenly fires.

Hail, all you happy Spirits above,
Who make that glorious ring,
About the sparkling throne of Love,
And there for ever sing.

Hail, and among your crowns of praise,
Present this little wreath,
Which, while your lofty notes you raise,
We humbly sing beneath.

All glory to the sacred Three,
One everliving Lord,
As at the first still may He be
Belov'd, obey'd, adored.