Page:Poems Hale.djvu/165

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glory to god in the highest, etc.
157
"GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL TO MEN."
Glory to God! the angels sang,
When hovering o'er Judea's plain;
The courts of heaven in chorus rang,
And earth reëchoed back the strain.
For every hope that lights our way,
For every joy that breathes of heaven,—
For faith's undying spirit-ray,
Our praise to Thee, our God! is given.

Not for these gifts alone, would we
In grateful adoration bow;
Eternal Source of love! to Thee
A holier incense raise we now.
Thanks for the gracious blessings sealed
By him, Thy well-beloved Son;
Thanks for the glorious hopes revealed,
That point to heaven, and glory won.

"Good will to men!" The holy theme
Let earth's adoring millions swell:
He came earth's millions to redeem;
Shall words alone our homage tell?
Not from Thy anger's fiery breath
Came he to set our spirits free:
But dearer far, from sin and death,
To lead our footsteps back to Thee.