Kneel and adore Him! Bring your hearts, as stainless lilies, To cast before His darling, dimpled feet! Soon shall the shepherds from the dusky hills and valleys, In simple faith, around His manger meet; And stately Kings, on wondrous quest intent, Shall bring their gifts from out the Orient. [Illustration] O Love, so free, so royal, yet so condescending-- So unpretentious in Thy majesty! As Thy beginning, even so shall be Thine ending Upon the open heights of Calvary! A fountain, free to all beneath God’s heaven, Wherein all sinners may be cleansed and shriven! [Illustration] Here is the well-spring of those sparkling, saving waters-- Here, in the heart of Mary’s Blessed Boy! From out the Saviour’s fountains, O earth’s sons and daughters, Ye shall draw graces with exceeding joy; And, with the Christmas Angels, rapturous, sing: Glory and homage to the new-born King! The Three Masses on Christmas Day. I. “_The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee._”--Ps. ii, 7. Deep in the bosom of the Father lies His co-eternal Word--the Infinite, Whose generation’s everlasting light Illumes the unborn ages.... Lift your eyes, And contemplate that Home in Paradise, That first eternal Dwelling of the Word!-- Before the angels were,--before the skies Blush’d over Eden, or the waters stirred Under the Spirit’s strong, creative breath,-- Uttered the Father in His bosom blest This glorious Word.... What matter change or death? Amid the Godhead’s central fires expressed, Life lives in Love.--O men of vision dim, Here, at His altars, kneel, and worship Him! II. “_And they came with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in a manger._”--Luke ii, 16. Tho’ midnight shadows wrap Him in their pall, The stars upon His rosy sweetness shine; From Mary’s bosom to the cattle-stall, He passes in His baby grace divine! _Venite adoremus._ In this shrine, Our God appears, our Saviour, and our All! Before the Word made Flesh, adoring, fall, And praise the Everlasting’s blest design. Far, o’er the hills, the angel-chorus rings; The Shepherds, thro’ the dusk, are drawing nigh; St. Joseph’s lantern glows.... The Eastern Kings Stand out, like giants, ’gainst the bright’ning sky. “_Glory to God!_”--(the swelling strains increase) “_And, on the earth, to men of good-will--peace!_” III. “_A child is born to us, and a Son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulders; and his name shall be called the Angel of great Council._”--Isaias ix.