Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-02-09
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Fer the Green Mountain Freonan.
CHRISTMAS MUSINGS.
By Z. J. BATES.

BYE. J. BATES.
The day was past, and night
WIS drawing fast her sable mantle round
p.r,h,s husy scenes, when Judea's shepherds ALL
Fer watchful Ger their focks, were seated on
The ground. The merry hum of business mad
Now ceased and naught heard that might disturb
The peace that regn'd on Judea's lonely plains
On high. above, the thousand shining lights,
Gods golden fires with lusre bright were seen
A., beautiful as when the morning stars
Together sang, amid the giores Of
The new creation, God'Sgreat handiwork
The starry vault ilumd earth's murky scenes,
And peace now regnd DER Bethlchems sacred plains
with watchful eye the shepherds guard their focks,
And gaze upon the scene But 10 a star
7, seen, and wonder meets their eyes for in
The east afar, brilliant light they Sec
More brilliant thrice than e'er before had decked
The canopy above. The shepherds view 1t o'eri
AStonished are they all as they behold
This wondrous light--a myst'ry yet unsolv'd,
But yet to them a harbinger it seems
OF some eventful day, which soon would burst
Upon their ravished sight.
But form
With Countenance dlVlne-an angel iroHi
Above into their mids descends, and does
The mystery unfold. "Fear not" says he,
"For 10 bring glad tidings to you all,
OF joy exceeding great, for unto you
This day s born, Of David's chosen race,
Savior and King, whose name is Christ,
The Lord ; and for sign that ye may know
When We have found the infant King, behold
bla ato llo,n Ret mta ulain6
In swaddlng attire wrapt, tn Incarnate one"
And now while anxiousy the shepherds stand
To hear such joyful news, multitude
OF why host within their midst appesr,
Singing the joyful song, of glory be
To God on high, on earth be peace, good will
To men.
Soon as the heavily host depart,
The shepherds haste to view the scene. With JOY
Within that humble stall, they now behold
Their King.
The eastern sages wise beheld
The star, as it a light of glory shed
Ger all the countries of the eastern land
A light to them before unseen.
Were they that this bright star prcsaged some great
Event. A beacon twas, to lead them to
The place where lay the jews expected King.
When Herod, Judca's mighty, these things
Had heard, he was with terror filed, and called
The priests and scribes to him that he might know
Where lie of whom the prophets wrote, the Christ,
The great Messiah, should be born.
And when
He found that from the land of Bethlehem
Oh, sacred spot oh, highly favored land
The birthplace Of our Lord and King, the Worlds
Redcemer, and the hope of fallen man
Governor should come, who was to rule
Ger all the Jew and Gentle race, he sent
Those sages wise, with the command to search
With diligence until the child they found.
straightway the men depart; guided by that
Bright light that in the east shone, they soon
Behold their newborn King. With joy their hearts
Are filled, and they in alteration bow
And worship Him, the long expected Christ.
Rejoice, Oh, heavens oh, earth be glad Ger may
The loud hosanna sing, and every tongue
Join in the glorious strain with seraphims
Above, in giving praise unto the Lamb
Our hope and consolation strong, till time
Shall cease to be.