Christmas

The wintry day, descending to its close,
invites all wearied nature to repose

and shades of night are falling dense and fast

like sable curtain drifting o'er the past.

Pale through the gloom the newly fallen snow

wraps like a shroud the silent earth below
as though 'twere mercy's hand had spread the pall
a token of forgiveness unto all.

Hymns no . 34: "The Wintry Day Descending to Its Close"