Christmas Of Long Ago

In the midnight sky a wonder;
A star in the east aglow,
And mellowest voice thereunder,
Christmas of long ago.
With gaze upraised the sages,
Poor shepherd's bending low;
A rapture to light the ages;
Christmas of long ago.
O, Child-God laid in the manger,
Who bore no diadem;
To the lords of earth a stranger
Outcast of Bethlehem!
Thy message came to the lowly;
Thy star was sent to the wise;
And peace and love were the holy
Words from the midnight skies.
They filled the heart of one other,
To its own sweet overflow:
Peace and Love to the Mother,
Christmas of long ago.
Has Time's dust dulled its glory?
Have tear mists blurred its rays?
Is it now too old a story
For hurrying, changing days?
Oh, ever our hearts shall hearken
To the angel's chant above,
And never shall distance darken
The star that shines in love.
And ever shall smile the Mother,
Mother whose child was God;
God, who took man for brother;
Brother our ways who trod.
Forever in joy completer
Shall the clear, glad message show,
And its angel voice sound sweeter
Christmas of long ago.