And our eyes at last shall see Him Through His own redeeming love, For that child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in Heaven above; And He leads His children on To the place where He is gone. Not in that poor, lowly stable, With the oxen standing by, We shall see Him; but in Heaven, Set at God's right hand on high, When, like stars, His children crowned All in white, shall wait around. * * * * * CHRISTMAS NAHUM TATE While shepherds watch'd their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around. "Fear not," said he (for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind); "Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind. "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: "The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view display'd, All meanly wrapt in swathing bands, And in a manger laid." Thus spake the Seraph; and forthwith Appear'd a shining throng Of angels, praising God, and thus Address'd their joyful song: "All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace; Good-will henceforth from heaven to men Begin, and never cease!" * * * * * "WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS BY NIGHT" MARGARET DELAND Like small curled feathers, white and soft, The little clouds went by, Across the moon, and past the stars, And down the western sky: In upland pastures, where the grass With frosted dew was white, Like snowy clouds the young sheep lay, That first, best Christmas night. The shepherds slept; and, glimmering faint, With twist of thin, blue smoke, Only their fire's crackling flames The tender silence broke-- Save when a young lamb raised his head, Or, when the night wind blew, A nesting bird would softly stir, Where dusky olives grew-- With finger on her solemn lip, Night hushed the shadowy earth, And only stars and angels saw The little Saviour's birth; Then came such flash of silver light Across the bending skies, The wondering shepherds woke, and hid Their frightened, dazzled eyes! And all their gentle sleepy flock Looked up, then slept again, Nor knew the light that dimmed the stars Brought endless Peace to men-- Nor even heard the gracious words That down the ages ring-- The Christ is born! the Lord has come, Good-will on earth to bring!