And fast descends a threatening night,
Then, lest dismay the soul appals,
The stars shine bright.

V

O great the wisdom, great the power,--
God draws the curtains of the night,
And, in the dark and lonesome hour,
The stars shine bright.

VI

The glory and the truth of God,
His lovingkindness and His care,--
Such is the light He sheds abroad,
His stars shine rare.

I

A crown of gold surpassing rare,
The western hills, in beauty, wear;
And earth and sea reflect the light,
That fades before th' approach of night.

II

O Glorious Sun! whose peerless ray
Illumes the realm of endless day,
Shine on a world where darkness dwells,
And all the joy of day dispels.

III

Soft o'er the land the twilight creeps;
Night falls apace, and nature sleeps;
O let not night my life control,
And plunge in sleep my drowsy soul.

IV

Sleep to the weary pilgrim give,
But let the soul through slumber live;
Wake when the first faint gleam of morn
Tells that another day is born.

V

Light of my life! bid night depart,
Sing to my soul, and cheer my heart;
That morn, and noon, and night may be
One beauteous day of joy to me.

VI

And when the brightest morn shall break,
And bid the eternal day awake,
O Glorious Sun! in radiance shine,
To guard from night the realm divine.

CHRISTMAS

CAROL[1]

{kai Poimenes eidon to thauma,}
{Angelon anymnounton, kai legonton;}
{Doxa}

I

The Lord of Life to earth came down,--
Come, gaily sound His praises high;
O 'twas a day of high renown,
While angels praise Him in the sky.

_Refrain._

The shepherds saw a wondrous sight,
In Bethlehem's fields at even,
When, lo! a star, in radiance bright,
Shed o'er the plains its glorious light,
And angel bands, harmonious quite,