One who rejoiced that many served the Lord,
Beheld, amongst the simple and the grand,
In homes and churches, schools, and bed-filled ward,
The fruits of faith abounding in the land.
His spirit waked one night to music’s strains,
Awaked and saw the messengers of light ;
And as he gazed, the brilliance dimmed his sight,
The brilliance of the heavenly domains.
And while he stayed so still, in reverent dread,
Though stirred by influence of the heavenly scene,
” Fear not, but come, since He hath made thee clean,”
A gracious messenger approached and said,
Then as he led him through the peopled space,
His heart rejoiced, the golden streets he trod ;
When lo, they neared the awful Throne of God-
The angel prostrate fell, and veiled his face.
He knelt beside him, as a tuneful wave
Of song resounded, thrilling through their ranks ;
And ordered hosts gave glory, honour, thanks,
To One enthroned, Who lived to love and save.
Till, strengthened by that praise, he stood and saw,
Countless and bright as stars, angels of light –
The hosts that do His word, excel in might,
In spheres where law is love and love is law.
He turned, as angel voices near them spake,
To see who used the Name all names above,
When converse full of love of Him we love,
He heard a group of radiant beings make.
They said the wonder of it all remained
That Christ the Lord should go and live on earth,
And take of woman’s flesh, in lowly birth,
The perfect human form He still retained,
Still they remembered well the peaceful night
When down to earth they took their brilliant way,
And made the fields at Bethlehem bright as day,
When God, in infant life, had veiled His might.
With voices low and hushed, in yearning tone,
They spoke of agony, and named the Cross, –
” To save a people from eternal loss,
The Lord had suffered it, away, alone.”
They spoke of Heaven’s joy when Christ returned,
Of wonder at the human form He bore,
Of mystery – God and man joined evermore, –
And while he heard, his heart within him burned.
When lo, some pleasant sounds came floating by
From Paradise, as men, not angels, sang ;
Redeemed to God, their grateful voices rang ;
The angels stopped, and listened eagerly : –
” Thee we revere, Lord God of all the saints ;
King of the Ages, all hast Thou done well ;
Bowed low before Thee, we in truest love
Give Thee our praise and grateful thanks,
Lord God. Lord God our Saviour, on Thy Father’s throne,
Praise we the love which brought Thee to our earth ;
Praise we Thy love, Who sinless bore our sin ;
Thy grace we praise, who of Thy life partake.
Spirit, Lord Eternal, Giver Thou of Life,
Working within the Church, to Thee be praise ;
Healer of the nations, all Whose ways are true,
Lord God Almighty, Thee we serve and love.”
The music ceased, he heard nor sound nor voice ;
In thoughtful mood the angelic group went on,
Till he who led him in stood there alone,
Speaking to tell what made the Heavens rejoice : –
” When selfish men repent and serve the King,
And love because themselves are loved of God ;
When flowers of kindness spring where they have trod, –
Our joy is great beyond imagining.”
He waked, and eastward saw the shafts of light,
And heard the birds sing loud to greet the day,
But all the golden hours he lived that night
Can never from his memory pass away.
(Gerard Addington D Arcy Irvine)
More Poetry from Gerard Addington D Arcy Irvine:
Gerard Addington D Arcy Irvine Poems based on Topics: Man, Love, God, Kings & Queens, Faces, Sadness, Light, Joy & Excitement, Birds, People, Christianity- Queen Esther (Gerard Addington D Arcy Irvine Poems)
- Ellen (Gerard Addington D Arcy Irvine Poems)
- New Zealand (Gerard Addington D Arcy Irvine Poems)
- The Patriarchal Tree (Gerard Addington D Arcy Irvine Poems)
- The Fairies (Gerard Addington D Arcy Irvine Poems)
- On The Shores Of The Sea Of Galilee (Gerard Addington D Arcy Irvine Poems)