Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-12-24
COMMUNICATED
The Christmas Chimes


COMMUNICATED.
The Christmas Chimes
"a legend of the old church that formerly stood in ii
Catholic graveyard at Alexandria,
Come here my lite Ethel,
Come look at the soft white snow,
And as you watch will tell
legend of long ago.
See there before US stretches
The graveyard dark and cold,
And behind it the dark cid river
To the fsr-away ocean rolled.
Long, long ago at Christmas tide,
On this very spit there stood
A simple church. so old and bare,
With an altar made OF wood.
Though the church was dark and gloomy,
Many true prayer did arise,
And on that altar as at Calvary
Christ Himself was sacrificed.
See there where the shadows are falling,
Darkening the whitened snow
Can you not see misty visions,
Floating slowly to and fro?
Can you nctd discern still further,
By thesoft lamps crimson rays,
The old priest kneeling, chantingever
Hymns of love and praise?
Then he turned and faced tho people,
With his white hair flowing down,
And a mien so grave and stately,
In his dark and priestly gown.
Then the old priest looked upon them
And his mild glance troubled fell,
For it grieved his heart right sorely
That they heard no Christmas bell.
And he said, 'iThe me is coming
When the Christ child shall te;
He came upon the earth to suffer
And for our sake to set US free.
sob my children think upon it
Ged this night became child
Weak, innocent and helpless,
Ever loving, trusting mild.
"Then my children on Christ's birthnight
He will lend listening ear.
Your prayers will surely reach to heaven,
And be granted, do not fear,
clay your burdens at his altar,
Ask for all you'd fain possess.
Christ is ever bending forward
Listening, full of tenderness
sMsy Gods blessing be upon you,"
And the good priest raised his hand,
And the sign of benedic,ion
Fell upon the little band.
How fell the blessing on them?
Oh F! my child we must not judge their hearts.
God made all and to each assigned
Their own and different parts
Now the church is all deserted
Only little child kneels there,
Forgetful of the world beyond
She offers up her simple prayer.
'Dear Christ child, they have left you ali alone
Only the lamp and am near.
The priest SAID you'd grant whate'er asked
He said you'd truly surely hear.
"Give us, for We truly want it
On this blessed night of thine,
All in honor of thy birthday
Let us hear the sweet bells chime"
So she prsyed, AID wearied,
AS the sun set glorious red,
Upon the altar-railing
She dropped her childish head.
Swiftly onward flew the hours,
The time Of midnight mass drew near.
Back came ali tho trne-heerted,
(t Christ's wondious birth to hear.
The priest has entered the chapel,
:. silence fell on the crowd;
GOO unto God is offered,
Their heads are solemnly bowed.
"Hoc est tnim corpus meum;:"
AS the mighty words they fell
Clearer, sweeter and c.esrer
Chimed the sweet tones Of 8 bell.
The old priest and the people
Wore white and trembling with fear,
For that bell was far sweeter and clearer
Than any the earth did hear.
And the cbild-her 10y was greater,
Too great for the esrth's dark sod,
And her soul Cd the BELLS sweet music
Went upward to its God.
Oh ,'tis many a year since then,
And those sounds again meier fell,
For it wss the angels in heaven
That rung that Christmas bell.
This legend is true, my darling,
The church is no longer here,
The old priest and his people
Have been dead for many year.
But bark hear sounds Of music
Floating through psrlor and hail.
There run to mamma, sweetheart
And a merry Christina, for all.
Dec q, 1889. a. q ID. 60