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Show 31 Christmas Study (By E. C. COX.) Near twenty centuries have rolled away, Since Yulotide's joyous festivals began, When the Creator, on that blissful day t Exceeded all his wondcraus gifts to man. For He. in His inestimablolovc Sent His beloved Son to dwell on earth, And in due timo Ho came from realms above, To Bethlehem, the chosen place of birth. Now Bethlehem, though but n village smnll, Was in those days a venerable plncc. And had produced (as history recalls) Some noble benefactors of our race. s There humble Jessie dwelt, whose youngest son Composed the psalms and songs tho world still sings, Whom Samuel choso us God's anointed one, i And who, from shepherd boy became a king. There, Jacob built loved Rachel's monument, A il tMAHnaf T7tfl ff!nnnnl lie flnlit nf tfsm u ' And there, the generous Body, without stint, Heaped gifts upon her, from his ample store. And lastly, there, within a lowly stall ' Or cavern crude, on that first Christmas morn, , God's best beloved, His choicest gift of all, Tho Prince of peace, the King of Kings was born. No earthly ostentatious pomp and show, With blast of trumpets, blazoned It's abode. Those eastern rulers did not,cven know Of tho appearance of the son of God. But to the shepherds on the plains that night, A Heavenly messenger appeared to view. Filling surrounding spaco with holy light. And said "I bring glad tidings unto you." Then ho revealed the Savior's birth, and whero "" Tho meek and lowly Infant would be found. Then hosts of Heavenly beings filled tho air With shouts of joy, and glory shono around. And as I contemplate that gloriou a throng Of angels bright, I wonder could it be, That in their midst, and joining in the song Of glory unto God, were you and me, Though lowly born, nnd In a mangor laid, The Savior grew in excellence and worth, His name and fame throughout tho nations spread, And now He's reverenced in all the earth. Wo hail with glee tho season sot apart , As that on which our Savio,r King, was born. And joy and gladness fill each gratoful heart, And loud rejoicing greet the happy morn.' But while wo revel in festivity, And mingle In tho merriment and song, ' Deep TJfijktyWde within our hearts nrisoi ' ' On this giaoVday of our Redeenier'a birth. For humnn wisdom ne'er can realize f , The glorious mission He performed'OU-onrth. Those precious truths ho scattored hero below, Will through all earthly continents abound, And in celestial regions still will grow, Whilst the eternal ages roll around. i v .,,,,., J) |