The angel host that sped last night, <br />Bearing the wondrous news afar, <br />Came in their ever-glorious flight <br />Unto a slumbering little star. <br /> <br />'Awake and sing, O star!' they cried. <br />'Awake and glorify the morn! <br />Herald the tidings far and wide-- <br />He that shall lead His flock is born!' <br /> <br />The little star awoke and sung <br />As only stars in rapture may, <br />And presently where church bells hung <br />The joyous tidings found their way. <br /> <br />'Awake, O bells! 't is Christmas morn-- <br />Awake and let thy music tell <br />To all mankind that now is born <br />What Shepherd loves His lambkins well!' <br /> <br />Then rang the bells as fled the night <br />O'er dreaming land and drowsing deep, <br />And coming with the morning light, <br />They called, my child, to you asleep. <br /> <br />Sweetly and tenderly they spoke, <br />And lingering round your little bed, <br />Their music pleaded till you woke, <br />And this is what their music said: <br /> <br />'Awake and sing! 'tis Christmas morn, <br />Whereon all earth salutes her King! <br />In Bethlehem is the Shepherd born. <br />Awake, O little lamb, and sing!' <br /> <br />So, dear my child, kneel at my feet, <br />And with those voices from above <br />Share thou this holy time with me, <br />The universal hymn of love.<br /><br />Eugene Field<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/christmas-morning-2/
