The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-12-15


and sought in their silent and beauti-
ful face, an answer to their questions.
On that night long, long ago, the
memory and record of which can
never pass away, as these men studied
the stars, what was the marvellous
light which rose in the east and made
the stars look pale? Slowly with
wonder the shepherds rose to their
feet, each with his eyes on the new
light: which grew brighter and
brighter as they gazed, from time to
time. Their eyes sought their own
personal stars as if to seek guidance
from them-but 10! their stars which
they knew SO we'll and had pondered
each night with silent and deep awe.
were dim and almost unrecognizable
before the brightness of this new light.
this new star
Suddenly as they gazed the heavens
seemed to open and chorus of bright.
glorious angels filled the blue sky
with their shining presence, while
sweet and exquisite as the first sigh
ing OF the soft summer wind, or the
last almost inarticulate note of the
sky-lark, yet insistant and penetrat-
ing as the constant voice of the sea,
rose that angelic chorus, "Glory to
God in the Highest and on earth.
peace good will to men,
Bowed to earth with hearts filed to
overflowing, with awe and reverence
and infinite wonder, the humble shep-
hards heard this wonderful anthem.
When it had ceased and while the
echoes throbbed through their hearts
like new life blood, they slowly lifted
their heads and gazed at the new star
which hungsin Respondent glory in the
heavens. It seemed to call them, to-
beckon them to rise and follow its
beams. With trembling lips they
rose to their feet and each clasping
the hand of the other, and with silent
lips but full hearts, keeping their eyes
on the star, they followed it's guiding
light into the sleeping town OF Bethle-
hem. Through the. long crooked
street it led them and paused over a
rude building, a stable which was at
the rear OF the public inn.
The shepherds paused and wondered.
should they find the object of their
search there: there in stable among
the beasts of the earth? Slowly they
passed the inn and came to the stable.
over which the star seemed to pulsate
and CLEAN with its heavenly lustre.
They entered. There on the rough
straw which lay scattered. on the
ground. sat the Virgin Mary holding
in her arms the little child-the Christ
for whom the world had waited since
the creation, about whom the prophets
had written: at whose birth the angels
sang, and the star guided the seeking
shepherds to His birthplace. With
reverent mien and thankful hearts
these men of the silent nights. these
grave shepherds sank on their knees
and worshipped Him who wasa babe,
yet the Saviour of the world.
20, little town of Bethlehem.
How still we see thee lie:
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by:
Yet in thy dark street shineth-
The everlasting light:
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
These shepherds whom God had seen
tit TO lead to His Son were men of
pure hearts and it is written in Gods
holy word that ''The pure in heart
shall see God"
Their lives had been pure lives;
their lives had been lived with pure
thoughts; their eyes were constantly
lifted above the mean things of earth
to the glorious stars. They each had
their star. Cannot we each have our
star? And let that star be the best,
the purest, the most holy Of heaven
and earth. Let that star be Christ.