 | [Christmas, in] Spirit of the Fair |  |
CHRISTMAS.
We mark the day when on us rose,
Like stars, the eyes of our first-born;
We mark the day when from our side
Our loveliest, and our best are torn.
Like stars, the eyes of our first-born;
We mark the day when from our side
Our loveliest, and our best are torn.
We mark with mystic ring the day
Of vows that are the type of Heaven,
When, as the church unto the Lord,
The bride unto the groom is given.
Of vows that are the type of Heaven,
When, as the church unto the Lord,
The bride unto the groom is given.
For every friendship, every love,
We have memorial, mark, and sign;
And shall we bear no careful heed
For that dear love which is divine.
We have memorial, mark, and sign;
And shall we bear no careful heed
For that dear love which is divine.
And shall no tender reverence greet
His day of birth, who came to bless,
Whose heart's blood on our earthly ties
Gives them immortal sacredness?
His day of birth, who came to bless,
Whose heart's blood on our earthly ties
Gives them immortal sacredness?
Say not, how in the shades is lost
The very day that Christ was born;
And from the festival of love
With skeptic eye averted turn.
The very day that Christ was born;
And from the festival of love
With skeptic eye averted turn.
Enough that in all Christian lands,
One chosen day to this is given,
One day to love and worship dear,
To peace with man, and peace with Heaven.
One chosen day to this is given,
One day to love and worship dear,
To peace with man, and peace with Heaven.
One day when in each land and clime
Where that blest NAME hath e'er been heard,
Jesus, with varying rite and form,
Is by his worshippers adored.
Where that blest NAME hath e'er been heard,
Jesus, with varying rite and form,
Is by his worshippers adored.
Heart beats to heart, friend smiles on friend,
Across the seas the nations call,
Peace and good will, good will and peace
In his dear name who loves us all.
Across the seas the nations call,
Peace and good will, good will and peace
In his dear name who loves us all.
H. B. STOWE.
Andover, Dec. 25, 1858.
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