The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-25
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.
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(By Miss Dora Barron,


 (By Miss Dora Barron.) For The Advertiser: Iris evening in Judea; OCT the hills The. setting sun still casts a lingering As if he grieved to leave for cen a night scene so fair. A quiet, peaceful calm Rests on the earth, which seems as free
 from care As on Earth's natal day, when God first And said: "Lo. it is good" Now. faintly waited on the perfumed The farmers evening song comes soft and
 low,
 steps, With grateful heart for nights sweet
 boon of rest. The night comes on. and softly, one by The little stars peep out from snowy
 clouds, While, soft as mothers kiss upon her
 first-born's brow The silver moon sheds OCT the dewy Her beams of radiant light
 Near Bethlehem The hocks are scattered OCT the grassy
 plain, Secure from harm, for near the shepherds
 sit With watchful eye. to guard them. and From prowling wolf or bear.
 Among them sits An aged, grey-haired sire. whose reverent Relates the history of their ancient race; Of how Jehovah led His people out From ancient Egypt, where, in bondage Four hundred years the Israelites had
 served With toll and anguish. How the very
 waves Rolled back and lifted up that they might A passage safe from Pharaoh's vengeful
 hosts. And then he tells them of the weary When through the stony wilderness they
 roamed. Because, their stubborn hearts were filled
 with pride And fierce rebellion gainst Gods holy will; And how at last Jehovah led them up A promised land, where they might dwell in peace And freedom sweet so long as they to God Would render the obedience due to Him. He tells them of Judea's mighty King; How David, once a shepherd like them
 selves, While watching OCT his father, Jesses. Was by Gods holy prophet Samuel Brought from the fields unto his fathers house And there annointed as Judea's King. He tells of Solomon, old Davids son, Whose wisdom filled the earth, and of whose wealth The nations spake in wonder. And as he told of these past days of glory and of power His voice grew strong, and in his aged There flashed a youthful fire; but when he told Of Israei's sins, and of Judea's fall His white head lowly dropped and from his eyes Hot tears fell thick and fast And then he told Of Gods rich promise; that a Prince Should, spring from David's line, whose Should save them from the curse, and
 raise again Judea's banner; gather all the tribes Now scattered 'mong the nations and Restore their vanished greatness; make the Jews Once more a Nation, strong in power and As in King Davids reign,
 When he had done Upon the group solemn silence fell As each sat lost in thoughts of glorious
 past And unused upon the future of their race.
 But suddenly A strain of sweetest music filled the air, So sweet, so clear. so full of rapturous joy Their very heart-strings thrilled with
 ecstasy. Such mt, music nSer on earth was heard be-
 lore Since that first hour when at Creations
 dawn The morning stars together sang for joy.
 With that glad sound There came flood of light. as if beam Had fallen from the very Great White And rested on the earth. Its dazzling Their weak eyes blinded, and their souls grew sick With fear and awe, while to the earth
 they fell Their faces hidden in the dewy grass.
 As thus they lay There came the sound of many fluttering And on their ears the glorious message Fear not, for To, to thee I bring Good tidings of great joy to all the world, For in King Davids city there is born A Holy Savior which is Christ the Lord!"
 Then suddenly A host of angels filled the air, who sang: 'Glory to God on high and on the earth And as. their message done, they took
 their flight. The radiance died away, and on the earth A wondrous silence fell, and thus to all The Christmas came.
 The Union Label Funeral.