The Three Masses on Christmas Day, II

“And they came with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in a manger.”—Luke ii, 16.

Tho’ midnight shadows wrap Him in their pall, The stars upon His rosy sweetness shine; From Mary’s bosom to the cattle-stall, He passes in His baby grace divine! Venite adoremus. In this shrine, Our God appears, our Saviour, and our All! Before the Word made Flesh, adoring, fall, And praise the Everlasting’s blest design. Far, o’er the hills, the angel-chorus rings; The Shepherds, thro’ the dusk, are drawing nigh; St. Joseph’s lantern glows.... The Eastern Kings Stand out, like giants, ’gainst the bright’ning sky. “Glory to God!”—(the swelling strains increase) “And, on the earth, to men of good-will—peace!”