Poems

When waiting Magi saw the star That shone above our Lord, And shepherds heard the angels sing In heavenly accord, How few there were who saw that light And followed where it led; Not many, with the hymn of praise And peace, were comforted! Oh, let us ever faithful be To watch and work and pray, That we may see the light of Truth, And follow in the way. Then shall we hear that same refrain, And echo it each day, Till all the world awakes to see That Christ is here alway.

Wisemen of old looked for the shining star, For prophecy and promises fulfilled; Then song of angels sounded through the night The birth of Jesus Christ: their quest was stilled. Have you a hungering heart that longs to know The truth that frees us from the senses' sway? Then angels whisper, through your faith, to you The healing truth, that Christ is here to-day.

Oh , let the infant thought serene and pure, Clad in white garments, glistering and bright, Untarnished by the mist of senses false, Be borne on wings as bird in upward flight Far, far above all earthly doubt and fear, Where only purity and love appear. Teach me to give my every thought to Thee, A captive led, in bonds of Truth and Love; To mount still higher o'er the senses' thrall, Each aspiration winged to reach above; To yield my heart's desire and prayer to Thee, And listen only when Thou speak'st to me.

Behold , God sends an angel. Him obey! To guide thee and to keep thee in the way, To bring thee to the place prepared each day— The place prepared for thee: Watch thou and pray.

Thou art the Way, dear Christ, by which we walk! A thorny way to sense, yet strewn with flowers For those who falter not, nor turn aside In search of broader paths and heedless hours. Thou art the vine, and we the branches are.

The oil of gladness let me bring, Despite the voice of strife, To solace with its Christly gift The woes of human life. Let charity command my lips And give them gentle speech, With warmth and love and quietude The troubled hour to reach.

Tune our ears to hear the symphony of Soul; Train our eyes to see the grandeurs of each day; Be every thought-touch gentle, that the whole Of life be voiced in a love-sweet roundelay. Let joy's perfume be scattered in the world abroad, The excellence of wisdom grace dissent or nod, Truth's beauty be upon us which we praise and laud, And Love, the all-harmonious, be known—our God.

We long for wings! Self, weary of a sense that clings To dust, and all material things,, Rebels at limitation; then We long for wings. We have our wings—God-given, free; Unfurled, they reach eternity.

The peaceful river in its flow Mirrors the radiant morning's glow, And glistening sunbeams dance their way Upon its surface, glad and gay; And in the quiet sunset hour It wears the hue of every flower, From faintest rose to brightest gold— Mother-of-pearl its ripples hold. Thus may the Sun of righteousness Shine forth in us to heal and bless; Its beams of light, reflected, shine In gladdening thoughts from Love divine.

There was a time when I approached each day With willful feet and calculating eyes, Like some young child who sees an offered prize And steps out greedily. I did not pray For guidance that I might not lose my way; I took the path that self-will justifies, Nor knew its tongue could only tell me lies About the goal, to lead my steps astray.