Classic Poem

To-day be joy in every heart,
For lo, the angel throng
Once more above the listening earth
Repeats the advent song:

" Peace on the earth, good-will to men!"
Before us goes the star
That leads us on to holier births
And life diviner far!

Ye men of strife, forget to-day
Your harshness and your hate;
Too long ye stay the promised years
For which the nations wait!

And ye upon the tented field,
Sheathe, sheathe to-day the sword!
By love, and not by might, shall come
The kingdom of the Lord.

O star of human faith and hope!
Thy light shall lead us on,
Until it fades in morning's glow,
And heaven on earth is won.