THE WATCH FOR CHRIST.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 82, 27 December 1884, Page 6

THE WATCH FOR CHRIST.

(By J. L. Kelly.)

I.—Tiie First Coming.

! Once more our minds go buck O'er History 'a faded track To that bnghtsceno in Palestine, two thousand years a#o, Whnn simple shepherd swains On Judnli's I'erlilo plains Saw angol visitants doscend, heard heavenly music flow. Wo think with what delight They A'iowod tbo wondrous bight— With what strange awe thoy heard the tong by angel chorists sum? :— "To you, this glorious morn, The promised Son is born. Who brings &ood news to all umnkind, of every rj-co and tongue !" In fancy we can see Thoso casiurn mums three, Who sought tho Saviour of tho earth, foretold from earliest day ; How, guided by His alar. Thoy came from lands afar. And found Him where, at Bethlehem, in lowly stall Ho lay. We see that gentle Ohild, PJseaped from slaughter wild, Pa3B lh rough a lito oi! sacrifice to dio a death of ahamo : We hoar Him cry. " 'Tis done !" We yiuw the victory won, And see Him riso triumphantly to God, from whom lie came ! Men say 'tis all a myth— A fairy talc, wherewith To eootlio the pan^s of Misety, to charm the ear of Youth ; But hearts with love aglow Make answer loudly. " No : It is no vain delusion, but God's eternal truth. " This enrih, so old and gray, Grows b"tl;'T riuj by day ; Tho poor are led, tho sick are healed, the suffering slaA c us freed ; Fraternal love's increase Heralds a lusting peaui; : Wo know tho pronn&t! is t'ulJillcd, and Christ lu3 conic indeed !"