THOUGH rude winds usher thee, sweet day, Though clouds thy face deform, Though nature's grace is swept away Before thy sleety storm; E'en in thy sombrest wintry vest, Of blessed days thou art most blest. Nor frigid air nor gloomy morn Bright is the day when Christ was born, Let roughest storms their coldest blow, Inspired with high and holy thought, It seems as to mine ear it brought Voices through heaven and earth that ran, I see the shepherds gazing wild I see them bending o'er the Child Which marks the face of those who view B There, in the lowly manger laid, He stoops to take, through spotless maid, Son of high God, creation's Heir, He leaves His heaven to raise us there! Through Him, Lord, we are born anew, Oft as this joyous morn doth come That day which brought Him from the skies, Then let winds usher thee, sweet day, E'en in thy sombrest wintry vest, CHRISTMAS DAY. REV. CHARLES WESLEY.] [Tune-" Corale." MENDELSSOHN. HARK! the herald-angels sing Glory to the new-born King! Joyful, all ye nations rise, Christ the Lord is born to-day! Christ, by highest heaven adored; Hail! the heavenly Prince of Peace! Come, Desire of nations, come, Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine! Adam's likeness, Lord, efface; Stamp Thy image in its place; Reinstate us in Thy love! Let us Thee, though lost, regain, |