The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-12-25
A CHRISTMAS LYRIC.
By JAN GAY.

The night stars glit.erei like diadem
Above the Judoan tops when band
or way-worn pilG2 inns paused at Bethlehem,
Obedient to Cesar's stern command
Group after group had gathered all the day;
And colby the keeper Of the inn
Turned from these last benighted ones away,
For they were lOwly in their garb and mien;
And with the poor who hocked at ROme's decree,
Came JUDAH wealth and her nobility.
The house ,cds full-and sad and heavily
To a low basement stable then they turned,
For far beneath the skies of Galilee
The cot in Nazareth where their home fire burned,
And chilly the dew-fall on them there
Sick and exhausted with the tiresome way;
The world shuns poverty, and few will share
home and fresidc with the poor who stray;
So, while the wondering cattle fed around,
They made their beds upon the damp, cold ground.
Hark bark what sounds break on the silent air
The mellow tones of myriad harps are ringing
Through the clear nightvaut! All the starry choir
OF heavenly angels join their might in singing
The worlds triumphant anthem, GLORY, glory!'
Dwellers of Bethlehem Judah, while the skies
Are waving their immortal banners o'erye,
Shake of the leaden slamber from your eyes,
And bring your offerings! Many an angel guest
Is lowering round the city Of your rest.
Upon the hills that grid the city round, =.
Amid the quiet 1ocks that seldom strayedI'
Shepherds were seated on the dewy grounu,
As years before, when the Boy David played
His magic harp among the shsep-sOlds here
The shepherd bard, in nisiber deep;aaa strong:
Pouring his inspiration on the air, 80
As the free hunter pours his wild, glad song
And the same star would burst on them this night,
That on his inner vision shed such light
Cane sbepherds Lo, the horizons rim
Is rising now that Orb of Prophecy,
The glorious wondrous star, that heralds him,
The worlds Redeemer in his mystery
or earth hood and Divinity combined;
Leave there your sheep upon Inc mo sun s''e
Meek hea rted ones, and follow I'LL ye nnu
The long expected King Your angel guide
Shall show to you a babe, a new born stranger,
Softly reposing in Bethlehem Manager
The night stars faded when the next morn stained
The eastern hilltops with its rosy light;
But the bright Star of Prophecy remained,
To chase away the wide worlds moral night
And then awoke the busy city's tlrong,
But all forgotten, like a night Of Dreams
The angel hymnngs and the choral song;
Each on his way, as best to each besccms,
The naughty Pharists and beggar trOd,
Alike regardless Of the Son OF God
Son of the Highest-Being so Divine!
From thy straw pillow wake not thou to weep;
The cattle o Thousand hills are thine
= They will not harm thee in thine earthly sleep!
For this poor stable thou hast left q throne
OF heavenly beauty, And upon thy brow
veil of shadow and OF grief is thrown;
An earthly destiny is on thee now
And thou must bear the burden Of thy lot
Alone alone the world will know thee not!
Wan. sned along The Babe of Bethlehem grew
n" manly stature, in the humble home
M his kind tester parents. NO one knew
VI rra :, vstery of the mission he had come
xCr. in g Ss srehoasR Whispering
M sorest meaning sometimes on his ear
~ Ell S from envenomed tongues, rs II to wiring
From patent, honest poverty It's stay,
And cloud the dearest sunshine On i's why