What crisis in earth's life impelled
The deed divine? What purpose high
Broke through the unseen boundary,
When sage and shepherd, awed, beheld
From out the purpling breast of night
The star rise, angel-heralded—
The star that stands for light?
High in the east, full-orbed it rose,
And onward in its radiant course
Resistless moved—a quickening force.
And they who sank beneath earth's woes,
Saw in that steadfast sign above,
The lamp of God, new lighted—
The star that stands for Love.
Across the centuries, undimmed,
Its searching light has driven past
The error that has bound men fast;
And still its message, angel-hymned,
Shouts hope and joy above all ruth,
As nearer, clearer shines today
The star that stands for Truth.
In all the ages that will come,
In all the changes yet to be,
The might of Truth's infinity
Will render ribald voices dumb,
And teach that false self sacrificed
Leads onward to life's fountainhead—
The star that stands for Christ.
