Devotional Verses Founded on and Illustrative of select Texts of Scripture [by Bernard Barton] |
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THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM. |
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THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.
“And lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them,
till it came and stood over where the young child was.”
—Matthew, ii. 9.
Bright in the eastern firmament
The star upon the Magi smil'd;
Before them in their progress went,
And led them to the Heavenly Child.
The star upon the Magi smil'd;
Before them in their progress went,
And led them to the Heavenly Child.
Had fear or doubt their hearts assail'd,
Had they refus'd to follow on,
Little to them it had avail'd
That thus before their steps it shone.
Had they refus'd to follow on,
Little to them it had avail'd
That thus before their steps it shone.
But when its glory they espied,
Their hearts rejoic'd that star to greet;
And, trusting in their heavenly guide,
It led them to the Saviour's feet.
Their hearts rejoic'd that star to greet;
And, trusting in their heavenly guide,
It led them to the Saviour's feet.
Nor need we vainly envy them;
Still shines within a Heavenly Light,
Which, like the Star of Bethlehem,
Would guide our onward course aright.
Still shines within a Heavenly Light,
Which, like the Star of Bethlehem,
Would guide our onward course aright.
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But if, when we that Light discern,
We doubt its mission is divine,
And from its guidance coldly turn,
Can we expect it still to shine?
We doubt its mission is divine,
And from its guidance coldly turn,
Can we expect it still to shine?
Those who thus venture to reject
What none too gratefully could prize,
Too late may mourn that long neglect
Has veil'd its glory from their eyes.
What none too gratefully could prize,
Too late may mourn that long neglect
Has veil'd its glory from their eyes.
But they who, following on, adore
The Giver of its guiding ray,
Shall find it shine yet more and more,
Unto the pure and perfect day.
The Giver of its guiding ray,
Shall find it shine yet more and more,
Unto the pure and perfect day.
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