Celebrating Christmas with our Exponent sisters from Christmases past…
Emily Hill Woodmansee
Woman’s Exponent
15 December 1880
See the shepherds while they keep
Watch, at midnight’s sacred hour,
From their drowsy vigils leap,
Roused by a restless power.
Lo! the clouds are o’er them riven,
Gleams the sky with glory’s blaze!
Nearer come the hosts of Heaven,
While the watchers, wondering, gaze.
Speechless, rapt in admiration,
List the while the angels tell
That the Crhist, the World’s salvation,
Deigns indeed with men to dwell.
List, they to the wondrous story,
On that holy Christmas morn,
That the Prince of Peace and glory
Was in Bethlehem’s Manger born.
Heavenly legions swell the praises
Of the Child Emmanuel.
“Glory unto God the Highest,”
“Peace on earth to men good will.”
Is it not a holy anthem?
Fitting for the Saints to sing?
Generous wishes let us chant them,
E’en as praises to our King.
Let us say “A Merry Christmas,”
From our hearts to friend and for,
Heavenly hosts will thus assist us
Pride and hate to overthrow.
Narrow feelings, let them perish;
Christ’s own law of love fulfill;
Let us nobly strive to cherish–
Unto all the world good will.
Merry Christmas, friends!
