THE SPIRIT AND THE MUSE. 55 CHRISTMAS. “ A babe lying in a manger." Think not that babe, so weak and small, Thou seest in yonder cattle-stall. Is, like the most of human race, Destined for some inglorious place : Hid by a veil of flesh, behold The Christ, whom prophets have foretold, Come now at last, the world to save From sin, from Satan, and the grave. His holy empire shall extend Throughout the earth from end to end, Throughout vast regions of the sky Unviewed as yet by mortal eye: Therefore it was that shepherds came To see the babe of Bethlehem; Therefore the wise men from afar Followed the leading of the star; Therefore all Christian people raise From year to year glad hymns of praise To him, who, though high Lord of all, Was born and cradled in a stall. Man of the world, headstrong and wild, Despise not thou this heavenly child; If thou hereafter would'st be great, Thine too must be a low estate. THE SHEPHERDS OF BETHLEHEM. “The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God." When Christ was born and laid In a rude manger-bed, Poor shepherds of the fold Were first the tidings told: From Heaven a glorious light And angels from above Sang out the Father's love; Heaven heard the joyful cry, Earth gave the glad reply: "Glory to God in highest realms be given, "Peace upon earth, good will to men from Heaven." Scarce had the angels gone, Set out to see the sign They told the listening crowd And much the people wondered at the word, But Mary mused the more, the more she heard No gifts those holy men Poor shepherds still, the same As when the angels came; Yet, as from Bethlehem they homeward went, They praised the Lord their God, and were content. A PRAYER FOR LENT. "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved." lie ; Lord, pardon me before I die, Lord, pardon me before I die, That I at peace Then Hell may yawn, the grave devour, Gehenna's flames in torrents pour, Legions of devils round me lour, Yet will I not mistrust thy power. |