e weight of his
personal troubles. He felt very much like the shepherds watching their
flocks at night, except that no angels appeared to help him with the
message his people would expect him to deliver in the morning. Perhaps he
was unworthy of such a favor. He rose, as was his custom, and made a
round into the bedrooms to watch his children. How innocently they slept!
If the angels could not come to him, they ought at least to visit the
children. If they heard the message, their elders might perchance catch
it through them.

Some such thought must have passed through the mind of the lonely pastor
as he sat musing upon his sermon throughout the night, for he appeared
unusually cheerful as he ascended his pulpit Christmas morning, preached
a joyful sermon, and said, at its conclusion, that he had that night
begotten a song which he wished to read to them. That song has since
become one of the most beloved Christmas songs in the Danish language. To
give an adequate reproduction of its simple, childlike spirit in another
language is perhaps impossible, but it is hoped that the translation
given below will convey at least an impression of its cheerful welcome to
the Christmas angels.

Be welcome again, God's angels bright
From mansions of light and glory
To publish anew this wintry night
The wonderful Christmas story.
Ye herald to all that yearn for light
New year after winter hoary.

With gladness we hear your sweet refrain
In praise of God's glory solely;
Ye will not this wintry night disdain
To enter our dwellings lowly.
And bring to each yearning heart again
The joy that is pure and holy.

In humble homes as in mansions rare
With light in the windows glowing,
We harbor the babes as sweet and fair
As flowers in meadows growing.
Oh, deign with these little ones to share
The joy from your message flowing.

Reveal the child in the manger still
With angels around Him singing
The song of God's glory, peace, good-will
That joy to all hearts is bringing,
While far over mountain, field and hill,
The bells are with gladness ringing.

God's angels with joy to earth descend
When hymns to His praise are chanted;
His comfort and peace our Lord will lend
To all who for peace have panted;
The portals of heaven open stand;
The Kingdom to us is granted.

In 1826 Grundtvig, as already related, pub