"He hath put down the mighty From their haughty seats on high; And lifted up the lowly to The region of the sky. "His hand hath filled the hungry poor With daintiest of food, And the rich he hath sent empty Away from hope of good. "He hath come to the assistance Of His servant Israel's race; In remembrance of His mercy, His promise and His grace, "As He spake, in the beginning, To Abraham, our head, And to Jewish tribes for ever-- Naught hath failed of all He said." After this the virgin Mary With Elizabeth, so true, Made a pleasant three months' visit, Then to her home withdrew. Now that great thing did come to pass, Which Gabriel had foretold, In the sacred temple service, To Zacharias old. And soon Elizabeth received The promised baby boy; And gazing on the heavenly gift, Her heart was filled with joy. And all her friends and cousins, To whom the tidings went, Came with their gratulations, Upon the glad event. Then on the day of naming, The parents both agreed That John the infant should be called, As Gabriel had decreed. And the speech of Zacharias Immediately returned; He praised and glorified the Lord, His heart with fervor burned. And fear came on the neighbors all, As these things were noised abroad; And they said: "What kind of child is this Who comes, foretold of God? But the hand of God rich blessings On the babe, each day, bestowed; And the heart of Zacharias With the Holy Ghost o'erflowed. And he burst forth in thankfulness, And praised, and prophesied Of all the wondrous goodness That should to men betide. For the light of inspiration Had shown to him, indeed, That his son was the Elias, Who should the Lord precede. The Holy Child. ROME was the world's proud mistress, And would tax her subjects all: Thus every man, to his own town, Received Imperial call. And Joseph, wed to Mary, Must go to Judah's land, And, with the sons of David, Must take his lineal stand. Then, from Nazareth, he journeyed, With his fair and gentle spouse To Bethlehem of Judea, The place of David's house. But when--their journey ended-- They sought repose to win, Their lodging was a stable, So crowded was the inn. And to that stable, lowly, In humble, human guise, There came a babe most holy, Descended from the skies. 'Tis written that the angel Had to the virgin come, And told her that this Holy Child With her should make his home. And now a rosy light from heaven On Bethlehem's city shone; And this was the first Christmas The world had ever known. For Jesus was the promised Christ, So long ago foretold-- The King that all the Jewish race Were longing to behold. The Shepherds.