The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-29
For the National Era.
CHRIS MAS LYRc.
BY JANE GAY.

Ofway.worn pilgrims paused at Bethlehem.
0bediont to Caesars stern command!
Group after group had gathered all tho day
And coldly now the keeper of the inn
Turned from these last benighted away.
For they wore lowly in thor garb and mieni
md with the poor who Hocked at Romc's decree.
Came Judah's ~oalth and her nobility.
III. 50Ass qoas fiaII--snd sad and heavily
To A low basement stable then they turned.
For far beneath the skies of Galiee
The cot in Nazareth where their home fro burned
And chilly was the dew fall on them there
Sick and exhausted with the tresome way
The world shuns poverty, and few will share
A home and freside with the poor who stray;
So. while tho wondering cattle fed around,
Thov msde their beds upon the damp, cold ground
U,rk' bark what sounds break on tho silent air
The mellow tones of myriad harps are ringing
Through the clear night-vaut All the starry choi
Ofhoayenly angels join their might in singing
The worlds triumphant anthem, Glory, glory"
Dwellers of Bethlehem j udah, while the skies
Ale waving their immortal banners o'erye,
Shake off the leaden slumber from your eyes,
and bring your offerings Many angel guest
II hONSrlng round the olty OF your rest
Upon the hills that grid the city round,
Amid the quiet focks that seldom strsyed,
shepherds were seated the dewy ground,
As years before, when the boy David played
His magic harp amid tho shecp-folds there.
The shepherd bard, in numbers deep and strong,
Pouring his inspiration on the air,
A. the free hunter pours his wild, glad song
A. Al. u.-lN
That his inner vision shed such light
GaIe, shepherds Lo, on the horizons rim
Is rising now that Orb of Prophecy,
The glorious, wondrous star. that heralds him.
The worlds Redeemer, in his mystery
OF earth hood and Divinity combined;
Leave there your sheep upon the mountain side.
Mock hearted ones, and follow till ye find
The long expected King Your angel guide
Shall show to you a babo, a new born stranger,
Softly roposing in Il Bethlehem manger.
The night-stars faded when the next morn stained
Tne eussssn hill tops with its rosy light;
But the bright Star of Prophecy remained,
To chase away the wide worlds moral night
And thou awokc the busy city throng,
But all forgotten, like night of dreams,
The angel hymnings and the choral song;
Each his way, best to each beseems,
The naughty Pharisoe and beggar trod,
Alike regardless Of the Son of God
soh Of tho Highest-Deing so Divine
From thy straw pillow wake not thou to weep
The cattle a thousand hills thine
They will not harm thee in thine earthly sleep
For this poor stable thou hast left throne
0fheascnly beauty, and upon thy brow
Ayeil of shadow and of grief is thrown
An earthly destiny is ON thee now
Aai thou must bear the burden Of thy lot
Alone! alone the world will know thee not
loas sped along The Babe of Bethlehem grew
To manly stature, in tho hunble homo
his kiad foster parents. No one knew
The mystery of the mission he had como
10 work in human guise. The carpenter
OF Nazareth was his Though whispering
OF sorcst meaning sometimes on his ear
Fell from envenoned tongues as if to wiring
From patient, honest poverty, its stay,
and cloud the dearest sunshine on its way.
But the forked tongue Of malice could impart
Nc pang! From hIs lips, too, strange things woul
fall
Which but his mother needed in her heart.
She pondered Yer each word, and shrined them all
Tor, Oh for him, the Dtterest drops of scorn
Had been neotsreous. Nor needed she,
Ia the full treasure of her Spirit-born,
The world distrust and cold uncharity
Sne Was human mother, and her eye
"ept, as she marvelled at his destiny
Jesus began his mission, and the land
Was filled with strange astonishment and awe;
though on no fiery tables did his hand
Lnsraye the new commandments Of his law,
nc dropped them by the waysde, like tho seed
VI dowers that fall to bless the wanderers lot
Ills presence gladdened every heart of need,
While deeds Of mystery by his word were wrought
tas hand Of palsy at his touch grow strong
1oe blind had sight-tbe dumb the voice of song
'ne youth Of Main were sadly bearing one
IN youth like them, a comrade, to his tomb;
9" vas widowed mothers only son,
And Iiies last loyolight had gone out in gloom
ron nat lone mourner's heart Jesus drew neal
us eyelils moistoned with oompassion's dow,
"aa kindly laid his hand upon the bier;
4Aen that electric touch started anew
'ne silent wheels Of Life the Youth of Main
- new earthly life was born again
IAN crossed the Rulers threshold; ono sweet bu
Had lain like bright drop on his heart
ne pud was bursting into womanhood
0'i're his oyos, when, 10 the Spoilers dart
. 'a'd the young blossom, and its lifet stilled
H' called the "NaEareno - to his abode
-Id when he touched tho hand that Death ha.
chilled,
Warmiv thxn,,uA
""mIy through every vein tho life blood Aowed
And while tho maiden looked ON Chr;s, .na .u;,a,
lie Ruler blest the Saviour of his ehpa
L''tood beside grave in Bethany,
Iroaning in spirit" for its shadows fell
W sne no loved, and whose warm sympathy
had often been potential to dispel
sue sorrows that So closely marked his way;
ana while the weeping sisters urged him there
leave unbarrod the dwelling of decay.
moment lifled he his eyes in prayer,
"en the dead a dodke summons gave,
Ms arst resurrection from the grave.
@'e the wondrous deeds that cluster round
ny name Redeemer of our fallea race,
'Ao mystic earth tie was unbound,
p, vat heid Thee IN Humanity's embrace
'Ns sun was darkened and M star .ro,s
ABOVE the Judean hi,ops, in the hour
brought thine earthly wandorings to close
s'aiined thee-but the Giant had no powe
"u "a victim thou did st rend his chain.
ia n.f.-