Christmas Thoughts.

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 574, 28 December 1889, Page 3

Christmas Thoughts.

(By J. Stuart Kelly.) Sweetly chime the Christmas bells, Over fair New Zealand's strand, Hark ! their heavenly music swells Like an anthem old and grand. Never anthem so sublime — Never song so full of joy — Bringing at this festal time Happiness without alloy. Ever bringing thoughts of gladness, Merry laugh and happy jest, Banishing all care and sadness From the weary, troubled breast. • When comes Father Christmas here ? When the leaves a*e on the ground ? When the forest trees are sere And the snow is all around ? ' No ! he comes when bloom the flowers, When kind .Nature smiles again; When the birds in fairy bowers Wake once more their joyous strain. Solemnly the silent mountains, Bathed in glorious sunshine bright, Hear the cooling, sparkling fountains Breathing pleasure and delight. E'en on this fair sunny strand Oft we think of |those we love — Those who dwell in that dear land, Though afar from them we rove. Still we hold our Christmastide Like our sires of olden time, Not when winter's wild winds chide, But in summer's golden prime. Though no carols children sing Standing in the cold and snow, Nature's voices memories bring Of Christ's birthday long ago. ' Peace,' the angel hosts proclaimed Whea the Son of Man was born, But since men their Christ disclaimed War haß millions left to mourn. Peace on earth can never be Till, descending from above, Christ shall come to set us free And proclaim his reign of Love. Then no poor will starve and die — Equal then all men shall be, Raising to their God on high Praise through all Eternity,