THE BIRTH OF JESUS ANNOUNCED. DEEP was the midnight silence in the fields Of Bethlehem; hushed the folds; save that at times Was heard the lamb's faint bleat; the shepherds, stretched On the green sward, surveyed the starry vault. The firmament shews forth thy handy work: Thus they, their hearts attuned to the Most High ; When suddenly a splendid cloud appeared, As if a portion of the milky way Descended slowly in a spiral course. Near and more near it draws; then, hovering, floats High as the soar of eagle, shedding bright, Upon the folded flocks, a heavenly radiance, From whence was uttered loud, yet sweet, a voice, Fear not, I bring good tidings of great joy ; For unto you is born this day a Saviour! Awe-struck, with mane upreared, and flattened head; Recoils, aghast, into the desert gloom. A trembling joy the astonished shepherds prove, As heavenward re-ascends the vocal blaze Triumphantly; while, by degrees, the strain As if a sound so sweet could never die. BEHOLD MY MOTHER AND MY BRETHREN. WHO is my mother, or my brethren? He spake, and looked on them who sat around, More melting than e'er gleamed from human face,- And with that look of love he said, Behold BARTIMEUS RESTORED TO SIGHT. BLIND, poor, and helpless BARTIMEUS sat, Still hoping that the next, and still the next, He thinks he hears the coming breeze faint rustle Of thousand steps; it is the hum of tongues Heard that the Nazarene was passing by, He cried, and said," JESUS, thou son of David, |