The Glory of Bethlehem

The Glory of Bethlehem.

{For the Improvement Era.)

N Bethlehem I stood — 'twas eve, ere yet The dying sun was hid in banks of gold, His brilliant glory spreads a radiance far Bathes Moab's mountains as with splendor old.

A golden crown rests on their rugged heights, Lights up the dark ravines where shadows brood, Then slowly fades the glow, and purple mists Fall gently, nestling there in tender mood.

Judea's plains lie 'twixt that scene and me; Dividing rows of hedge are clear to sight; "The Shepherds' Fields" with flocks were dotted o'er When blazed the star upon that wondrous night.

Here mortal ears heard sweetest heavenly strains, The music soft e'en now blends with the air: "Peace, peace on earth," angelic voices sing, That restful peace is hov'ring everywhere.

The fields of Boaz catch the rays of gold They glisten where the wheat fields stood of yore, When gleaners homeward bore the drooping sheaves, Rejoicing at the harvest's plenteous store.

That dusty road winds here to Bethlehem, Around from o'er the mountains far away; the highway where they came of old, It is

The taxes here at Bethlehem to pay.

THE GLORY OF BETHLEHEM. 165

Truth's signet is on this most thrilling scene, O'er Bethlehem, where Jesus Christ was born; Though silent now the "Hallelujah Song," Lo! here 'twas heard on that first Christmas morn.

Intent I gaze —the panorama grand still here, When man-made glories wrecked and ruined lie The landscape fair as on that glorious day, When angels sang the sweetest lullaby.

Still here the peace his coming brought to earth, And love, the love he taught to ev'ry man. The spirit ne'er departing breathes of him Who glorified the Father, wrought the gospel plan. Lives Bethlehem a world-famed city still,

Stands here the church of "The Nativity;" The advent of the Lord God manifest, Hath sealed for aye, its sacred history.

And people living here the simple life, Slow dream away the days that come and go Unconscious that a world owns Bethlehem, Or that its wondrous star fore'er will glow.

When Christmas carols sound o'er land and sea Love's off 'ring to the Christ of Bethlehem; O'er fair Judea's plains still gleam the stars That listened when the angels sang to men.

I turn to other lands, roam o'er the earth. Yet memory paints this bright Judean scene The mountains dipp'd in gold, birds slow of wing, And crimson clouds with rifts of gold between. Lydia D. Alder Salt Lake City, Utah.