It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

"It came upon the midnight clear,

that glorious song of old,

from angels bending near the earth

to touch their harps of gold:

"Peace on earth, good will to men,

from heaven's gracious King."

The world in solemn stillness lay

to hear the angels sing.

...

 

Yet with the woes of sin and strife

the world has suffered long;

beneath the heavenly hymn have rolled

two thousand years of wrong;

and warring humankind hears not

the tidings which they bring;

O hush the noise and cease your strife

and hear the angels sing!

...

 

For lo! the days are hastening on,

by prophets seen of old,

when with the ever-circling years

shall come the time foretold,

when the new heaven and earth shall own

the Prince of Peace their King,

and all the world send back the song

which now the angels sing."

 

Edward Hamilton Sears, 1849

 

On Christmas Eve

Done