Poems (White)/Peace and Good Will

by Jeannie Copes White

PEACE AND GOOD WILL

When day had hardly just begun,
A baby's life that morn began.
Before the rising of the sun,
The morning star gave light to man.
The shepherds left their flock, you see,
To find out where that babe could be.
The wise men with their gifts of gold
Followed the star to find their King,
While angels glad hosannas sing:
    "Peace and Good Will."

There is a shadow on a hill,
A shadow of a cross. The sight
Makes nature bow, and all is still.
The sun has veiled his face. No light—
There's darkness, when it should be day,
Because a king they had to slay.
His loved ones hover round in grief;
His mother sees His hands and feet;
And hanging by His side a thief,
Who asks, and gains this promise sweet:
    "In Paradise we meet."

The star! the star! it shines again
The same,—the bright and morning star.
It beams upon us just as when
Those wise men traveled from afar.
'Tis shining now, and brings good cheer
To all who wish to see it here.
For hope and gladness rose the day
That star shown out; and ever since
He rose above death and decay,
We own and love Him as our Prince—
    "Of Peace and Good Will."