While shepherds watched <br />Their flocks by night, <br />A star appeared <br />So wondrous bright. <br />The angels appeared <br />In a cloud of light <br />Singing a glad <br />New hymn. <br />The shepherds with fear <br />Were bowed down, and <br />Fell with their faces <br />Upon the ground. <br />Until an angel's voice <br />Sweet gentle sound, <br />Bade them arise <br />And fear not Him. <br /> <br />The angel told them the star <br />Was a token of birth, <br />Of a baby king's <br />Advent to earth. <br />They would find him wrapped <br />In swaddling cloth, <br />In a place over where <br />The star would stay. <br /> <br />Then the angel sang <br />That glad new hymn, <br />Glory to God in the <br />Highest! Then <br />Peace on earth, <br />Good will toward men! <br />In the same bright light <br />They vanished away. <br /> <br />Their appearance so appalled <br />The humble men, they <br />Were aghast, at these tidings, <br />Brought to them. <br />In mystification and wonder <br />They hurried forth, then <br />And found in a manger <br />The young child lay. <br /> <br />So Christmas day is <br />The anniversary, of the <br />Birth of little Jesus, <br />Of JOSEPH and MARY. <br />Who was born in <br />Bethlehem of Judea <br />That ancient city <br />So far away.<br /><br />Della Hodgson James<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-christmas-star/
