A Christmas Hymn

The first time that the skies grew bright, When Heaven lay open wide, And angels gleamed adown the night Of one still countryside; ’Twas when the almighty Heir of all Came forth, a helpless child, Amid the darkness of a stall, And through our nature smiled. Far down in Being, but forgot By none who watched afar. Above the lowly, hidden spot Was buoyed one floating star. Then angels, up the heights of sky, Flashed glory with their shout, And o’er the wide earth sleeping nigh, Fell words of peace about.