102 



HOME AND FLOWERS 



A CHRISTMAS CAEOL 



By Eben 



LISTEN! The bells in the steeple 

 In jubilant gladness ring 

 To welcome the coming of Christmas, 

 And the birthday of the King 

 Who was born in the lowly manger 



Of Bethlehem, long ago, 

 When the song of the herald angels 

 Was sung to the world belo'^^. 



Thou hast clad thyself in raiment 



Of spotless white, O earth, 

 Like a bride on her marriage morning, 



To celebrate Christ's birth. 

 O, were our lives as spotless, 



Our hands unstained with sin, 

 And the latch of each heart were lifted 

 To let the Christ-Child in! 



Bring of thy pine and holly, 



O earth, this Christmas day, 

 And wreathe in their green the altar 



Whereon our gifts we lay, — 



E. Rex ford 



Gifts of most grateful homage 

 Laid low at the feet of the King 



Who leans from His throne to listen 

 To the sound of our worshiping. 



Bring to the dear Lord's altar 



The soul's white flowers to-day . 

 Let the rose of thy love shed incense 



Sweet as the breath of May. 

 Let the lily of faith eternal 



Lift its cup of myrrh to Him 

 Whose love is the star that leads us 



Through ways that are dark and dim. 



O earth, send back to Heaven 



The grand and glorious strain 

 That startled the wondering shepherds 



On far Judea's plain — 

 Glory to God in the highest! 



Sing it again and again — 

 On earth be peace, on earth be peace, 



Good will, good will to men! 



A FLOURISHING BUSH OF SPIREA 



