THE BIRTH-SONG OF CHRIST.

ALM on the listening ear of night
Come Heaven's melodious strains,
Where wild Judea stretches far
O'er silver-mantled plains.

Celestial choirs from courts above
Shed sacred glories there;
And angels with their sparkling lyres
Make music in the air.

The answering hills of Palestine
Send back the glad reply;

And greet from all their holy heights
The Day Spring from on high.

O'er the blue depths of Galilee
There comes a holier calm;
And Sharon waves, in solemn praise,
Her silent groves of palm.

Glory to God!" the sounding skies
Loud with their anthems ring;
"Peace to the earth, good will to men,
From Heaven's eternal King."

Light on thy hills, Jerusalem:
The Saviour now is born,

And bright on Bethlehem's joyous plains
Break the first Christmas morn.

E. H. SEARS.

CHRISTMAS HYMN.

OY and gladness! joy and gladness!
Oh! happy day!

Every thought of sin and sadness
Chase, chase away.

Heard ye not the angels telling,
Christ the Lord of might excelling,
On the earth with man is dwelling,
Clad in our clay?

With the shepherd-throng around Him
Haste we to bow;

By the angel's sign they found Him,
We know Him now;

New-born babe of houseless stranger,
Cradled low in Bethlehem's manger,

Saviour from our sin and danger,
Jesus 'tis Thou!

God of Life, in mortal weakness,
Hail, Virgin-born!

Infinite in lowly meekness,

Thou wilt not scorn,

Though all Heaven is singing o'er Thee, And gray wisdom bows before Thee, When our youthful hearts adore Thee, This holy morn.

Son of Mary, (blessed mother!)
Thy love we claim ;

Son of God, our elder brother,
(O gentle name!)

To Thy Father's throne ascended,
With Thine own His glory blended,
Thou art, all Thy trials ended,
Ever the same.

Thou wert born to tears and sorrows,
Pilgrim divine;

Watchful nights and weary morrows,
Brother were Thine:

By Thy fight with strong temptation,
By Thy cup of tribulation,

Oh! thou God of our salvation,

With mercy shine!

In Thy holy footsteps treading

Guide, lest we stray;

From Thy word of promise shedding
Light on our way;

Never leave us nor forsake us,

Like Thyself in mercy make us,
And at last to glory take us,

Jesus, we pray.

GEORGE W. BETHUNE.