Poems (Hale)/Christmas Hymn
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For works with similar titles, see Christmas Hymn.
CHRISTMAS HYMN.
Exulting theme! what strain shall swell,
Our hearts' deep gratitude to tell?
How can our feeble voices raise
To Heaven a fitting song of praise?
Our hearts' deep gratitude to tell?
How can our feeble voices raise
To Heaven a fitting song of praise?
Though to our fervent prayer were given
The tuneful voice, the song of heaven,
The choral strain that swells above
Is weak to hymn that work of love.
The tuneful voice, the song of heaven,
The choral strain that swells above
Is weak to hymn that work of love.
"Glory to God, who dwells on high!"
Who spread the earth and arched the sky,
Whose power prolongs our fleeting breath,
And shields us from the grasp of death.
Who spread the earth and arched the sky,
Whose power prolongs our fleeting breath,
And shields us from the grasp of death.
"And peace on earth!" The gracious boon
Bids man his harp of praise attune.
Our tongues would join the minstrel throng,
And swell with them the grateful song.
Bids man his harp of praise attune.
Our tongues would join the minstrel throng,
And swell with them the grateful song.
"Good will to man." Our spirits soar
Upward, His mercy to adore,
Who, to redeem our sinful race,
Sent forth His Messenger of grace.
Upward, His mercy to adore,
Who, to redeem our sinful race,
Sent forth His Messenger of grace.
O may our wandering footsteps press
The path our Saviour died to bless;
May we his words of truth receive,
And humbly in his name believe.
The path our Saviour died to bless;
May we his words of truth receive,
And humbly in his name believe.
Thus shall our spirits share the home,
Where death, nor doubt, nor sorrow come,
And bend in rapture at Thy shrine,
Eternal Source of love divine!
Where death, nor doubt, nor sorrow come,
And bend in rapture at Thy shrine,
Eternal Source of love divine!