God’s glory shone around them there, And then an angel cried-- “Fear not, for I good tidings bear To you, and all beside. For unto you is born this day A Savior, Christ the Lord.” We pray-- Gloria in excelsis Deo. Then swinging from the skies there came Groups of the heavenly host, Praising the Lord in sweet acclaim-- The burden of their toast-- “Glory to God on High,” again-- His “Peace on earth, good will to men.” Gloria in excelsis Deo. Within a stable sweet with hay, And warm with breath of kine, The Baby and His Mother lay, O, mystery divine! The bed of straw a cloud appears, We hear the music of the spheres. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Dear maiden mother, let us now, While to your breast He clings, In humble adoration bow With shepherds and with kings, And at His feet our off’ring be Praise, love, faith, hope and charity. Gloria in excelsis Deo. ROMA MATER SEMPAETERNA BY SHAEMAS O. SHEEL The blue skies bend and are about her furled, A maiden mantle; and with lilies bright The sun daywhiles doth crown her, and at night With stars her garment’s border is empearled. Not a king’s favorite, perfumed and curled, Is half so fair; no queen of martial might So potent as the Mother of the Light, The Mary of the Cities of the World! Eternal Mother, at whose breasts of white The infant Church was suckled and made strong With the sweet milk of heavenly Truth and Love, O thou that art all nations set above, Strengthen us still because the way is long, Mary of Cities, Mother of the Light! MARY’S BABY BY SHAEMAS O. SHEEL Joseph, mild and noble, bent above the straw: A pale girl, a frail girl, suffering, he saw; “O my Love, my Mary, my bride, I pity thee!” “Nay, Dear,” said Mary, “All is well with me!” “Baby, my Baby, O my Babe,” she sang. Suddenly the golden night all with music rang. Angels leading shepherds, shepherds leading sheep: The silence of worship broke the mother’s sleep. All the meek and lowly of the world were there; Smiling she showed them that her Child was fair. “Baby, my Baby,” kissing Him she said. Suddenly a flaming star through the heavens sped. Three old men and weary knelt them side by side, The world’s wealth forswearing, majesty and pride; Worldly might and wisdom before the Babe bent low: Weeping, maid Mary said “I love Him so!” “Baby, my Baby,” and the Baby slept. Suddenly on Calvary all the olives wept. THEY WENT FORTH TO BATTLE BY SHAEMAS O. SHEEL