Poems (Hale)/"Glory to God in the highest,"

by Mary Whitwell Hale

"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.

That star which erst the Magi led,
 From eastern climes, their meed to pay,
O! be its gracious radiance shed,
 To guide us in the heavenly way.
So may we tread the path he trod,
 Though dark and thorny it may be,
His Father ours, and ours his God,
 Till we in heaven our rest may see.

There shall we raise the exulting strain,
 "Let glory be to God most High!"
Nor sin shall blight, nor error stain,
 Where love's rich fountain greets the eye.
Nor can the swelling incense end;—
 The theme demands eternity:
Our notes with seraph harps shall blend,
 And raise the undying strain to Thee.