A CHRISTMAS CAROL by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER

THE moon that now is shining
In skies so blue and bright,
Shone ages since on Shepherds
Who watched their flocks by night.
There was no sound upon the earth,
The azure air was still,
The sheep in quiet clusters lay
Upon the grassy hill.

When lo! a white-winged Angel
The watchers stood before,
And told how Christ was born on earth
For mortals to adore;
He bade the trembling Shepherds
Listen, nor be afraid,
And told how in a manger
The glorious Child was laid.

When suddenly in the Heavens
Appeared an Angel band,
(The while in reverent wonder
The Syrian Shepherds stand.)
And all the bright host chanted
Words that shall never cease, --
Glory to God in the highest,
On earth good-will and peace!

The vision in the heavens
Faded, and all was still,
And the wondering shepherds left their flocks,
To feed upon the hill:
Towards the blessed city
Quickly their course they held,
And in a lowly stable
Virgin and child beheld.

Beside a humble manger
Was the Maiden Mother mild.
And in her arms her Son divine,
A new-born Infant, smiled.
No shade of future sorrow
From Calvary then was cast;
Only the glory was revealed,
The suffering was not passed.

The Eastern kings before him knelt,
And rarest offerings brought;
The shepherds worshipped and adored
The wonders God had wrought:
They saw the crown for Israel's King,
The future's glorious part: --
But all these things the Mother kept
And pondered in her heart.

Now we that Maiden Mother
The Queen of Heaven call;
And the Child we call our Jesus,
Saviour and Judge of all.
But the star that shone in Bethlehem
Shines still, and shall not cease,
And we listen still to the tidings,
Of Glory and of Peace.

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