4 Still that ray shines on and brightens, Chasing mist and gloom away; Happy they on whom it gathers With its full and perfect day! 105. C. M. Patrick. The Nativity. 1 While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around. 2 "Fear not," said he,--for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind,-- "Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind. 3 "To you, in David's town, this day Is born, of David's line, The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; And this shall be the sign: 4 "The heavenly babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid." 5 Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels, praising God, who thus Address their joyful song: 6 "All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace! Good-will henceforth, from heaven to men, Begin and never cease!" 106. C. M. E. H. Sears. The Birth-Song of Christ. 1 Calm on the listening ear of night Come heaven's melodious strains, Where wild Judea stretches far Her silver-mantled plains! 2 Celestial choirs from courts above Shed sacred glories there; And angels, with their sparkling lyres, Make music on the air. 3 The answering hills of Palestine Send back the glad reply; And greet, from all their holy heights, The dayspring from on high. 4 O'er the blue depths of Galilee There comes a holier calm, And Sharon waves, in solemn praise, Her silent groves of palm. 5 "Glory to God!" the sounding skies Loud with their anthems ring, "Peace to the earth, good-will to men From heaven's Eternal King!" 6 Light on thy hills, Jerusalem! The Saviour now is born! And bright on Bethlehem's joyous plains Breaks the first Christmas morn. 107. P. M. Mrs. Hemans. Hymn for Christmas. 1 O Lovely Voices of the sky, Which hymned the Saviour's birth, Are ye not singing still on high, Ye that sang, "Peace on earth"? To us yet speak the strains, Wherewith, in time gone by, Ye blessed the Syrian swains,-- O Voices of the sky! 2 O clear and shining Light, whose beams, That hour, heaven's glory shed Around the palms, and o'er the streams, And on the shepherds' head! Be near, through life and death, As in that holiest night Of hope, and joy, and faith; O clear and shining Light!