EPIPHANY

by: Mary Elizabeth Blake (1840-1907)

HEN under Judah's midnight skies

The Virgin mother clasped her child,

And on the Magi's wondering eyes

Above the hills the day-star smiled,

They rose with glad and swift accord,

With hearts to praise and gifts to grace,

And came to seek their unknown Lord,

To meet their Saviour face to face.




We too have seen the day-star rise,

When, with some message swift to bless,

God's hand hath gemmed our darkened skies,

And pierced their shroud of loneliness;

When from its calm the soul has risen

To unknown heights of hope and fear,

And hears the trumpet call of heaven,

"Arise, and search! for God is near."




Grant, Lord, that when the message rings

Across the trancèd silence round,

We rise as rose the Eastern kings,

And leave all else till Thou art found,

Nor wait through fear, nor pause for pain,

Though toil be long and rest be sweet,

Till we too find our Christ again,

And leave our gifts at Jesus' feet.

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