Christmas-tide.

Silently the snowflakes fall O’er the black and hardened ground; Radiant crystals form a pall, Stretching far and wide around. From the Ice-King’s glitt’ring halls Bitterly the north wind blows; Heap the logs within your walls, All the doors and windows close. Many a hundred years ago, On this very Christmas Day, In a manger mean and low Christ, the son of Mary, lay. Let our ways this Christmas-tide Follow in His steps above! Poor he lived and poor he died, All His doctrine was of love. Ours to soothe the aching heart, Ours to charity bestow, Ours His knowledge to impart To the suffering ones below! May that charity ne’er fail, May those good deeds never cease, Till our bark shall lower sail In the haven where is peace!