T. Bolden Steward, "The Nativity" (1902)
Chorus unending song at this great birth.
The heavens are gorgeous with the holy glow
Of the resplendent light; a herald star
To the Wise Men (first pilgrims to his shrine),
Loosed from the star-gemmed archway that impends
Over God's golden throne, shot grandly thro'
The firmament, and in crescendent brightness glowed
When all its spell divine was spent, above
His birthplace lowly.
In snow-white robes and breathing o'er the earth
Celestial odors, God sent messengers
Fluting glad Seraph-notes of joy to those
Late-watching shepherds; diffused a soothing light
About their path; and in angelic strains
The cherubim adore the Infinite.
The shepherds view the manger - cradled Child;
Above the Heavens join their notes serene,--
And countless tribes of men hear that love-theme,
Divinely beautiful.
On the Child's brow divinely radiant gleams
The love-lit crown of Eden innocence:
And Seraphim, majestic, beautiful,
His courts attend; in choruses divine
A choir invisible, through earth and sky
Hymns to the warring sin -cursed Universe,
Anthem of joyous praise, announcing Peace,
Glory to God, and His good-will toward men.
Now Ocean, Earth and Sky
Echo the Seraph song; the caves of Hell
Groan back dull dirges of impending woe
And fell defeat; while a choronal choir
Of God's Archangels and Heaven's scraphs sings,
"Lo! here the gift of God, comes down to men,
The King of Earth, the Saviour of Mankind.
Let blood-redeemed mankind welcome their King,
Their Shepherd who from Calvary's Cross shall lead
Frail sin-sick souls all sinless, back to that
First Eden of their Father and their God.
Published in Colored American Magazine, December 1902