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133
A CHRISTMAS HYMN
'Tis very strange that we should wait
So self-contented for the time
When belfries, throbbing and elate,
Announce the dearest Christmas-chime;
Should rarely count ourselves as dead,
By wasted treasure, secret shame,
By things not done, by words not said,
With fearlessness in Jesu's name.
Let us prepare to rise and sing,
As new-born subjects, to our new-born King!”
So self-contented for the time
When belfries, throbbing and elate,
Announce the dearest Christmas-chime;
Should rarely count ourselves as dead,
By wasted treasure, secret shame,
By things not done, by words not said,
With fearlessness in Jesu's name.
Let us prepare to rise and sing,
As new-born subjects, to our new-born King!”
For it is wrong in us to live
The foes of others gone astray,
Perchance refusing to forgive
Their sin, though sinning it to-day;
Leaving the brightness for the dark,
Knowing our shames, yet hugging them;
Nearer to Judas than to Mark,
And out of chime with Bethlehem.
Let us prepare to rise and sing,
As new-born subjects, to our new-born King!
The foes of others gone astray,
Perchance refusing to forgive
Their sin, though sinning it to-day;
Leaving the brightness for the dark,
Knowing our shames, yet hugging them;
Nearer to Judas than to Mark,
And out of chime with Bethlehem.
Let us prepare to rise and sing,
As new-born subjects, to our new-born King!
134
Who die to sin throughout the year,
Removing many a scarlet stain,
By dying thus are drawing near
To birth in Jesus Christ again.
Through every death, through every birth,
They grow disciples of the Way,
And yearly give a holier earth
To Christ the Lord on Christmas Day.
Let us prepare to rise and sing,
As new-born subjects, to our new-born King!
Removing many a scarlet stain,
By dying thus are drawing near
To birth in Jesus Christ again.
Through every death, through every birth,
They grow disciples of the Way,
And yearly give a holier earth
To Christ the Lord on Christmas Day.
Let us prepare to rise and sing,
As new-born subjects, to our new-born King!
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