Classic Poem

The light that lighteth every man, "
How fair it shone
When o'er the hills of Palestine
One star alone
Gleamed with a radiance that can never die
Till God's dear children reach their home on high!

The liberty where with our Lord
Doth make men free,
A thought of which awakes the song
Of jubilee!
How doth the cross symbolic prove
Of freedom, based on perfect love!

O Light and Liberty! sweet words,
Which in this hour
To stir the faithful hearted in our land
Have magic power.
Christ hath proclaimed them both: their dawn
Came with the hour when the Christ-child was born.

Thank God for light on human pathways thrown,
The truth's glad ray;
Thanks for the liberty from sin's dread bonds
In endless day,
While mortals join the angel-anthem sweet,
And sing the glorious work of Christ complete.

Then light and liberty shall be secured
To all the race;
And the glad tidings which the shepherds heard
Shall then give place
To victors' shouts upon the heavenly plains,
And the glad acclamation, " Jesus reigns! "