THE CHRISTMAS NIGHT 
     
    
   
   
    
     WRAPPED was the world in slumber deep, 
     
    

    
     By seaward valley and cedarn steep, 
     
    

    
     And bright and blest were the dreams of its sleep; 
     
     All the hours of that wonderful night-tide through 
     
     The stars outblossomed in fields of blue, 
     
    

    
     A heavenly Chaplet, to diadem 
     
    

    
     The King in the manger of Bethlehem. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Out on the hills the shepherds lay, 
     
     Wakeful, that never a lamb might stray, 
     
     Humble and clean of heart were they; 
     
     Thus it was given them to hear 
     
     Marvellous harpings strange and clear, 
     
     Thus it was given them to see 
     
    

    
     The heralds of the nativity. 
     
    
   
   
    
     In the dim-lit stable the mother mild 
     
     Looked with holy eyes on her child, 
     
     Cradled him close to her heart and smiled; 
     
     Kingly purple nor crown had he, 
     
    

    
     Never a trapping of royalty; 
     
    

    
     But Mary saw that the baby’s head 
     
    

    
     With a slender nimbus was garlanded. 
     
    
   
   
    
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