O Song - O Star by M. Elizabeth Burns-Howell

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 16, 1912

O Song — O Star

By M. Elizabeth Burns-Howell

[The following poem comes too late for our "Christmas" number, in fact, it grew out of or was inspired by the meaning of the incarnation of our Lord and the Christmas season contrast. Our Lord was born in the flesh as a lesson of cheer and joy for every day of every year. Editor S. of T.]

O angel throng — O natal song, Sing on, ring on, adown the years! The time is long, and hosts of wrong Have filled the earth with grief and tears. O legion bright, O hallowed light, Enflood the souls of men anew! Imbue with might the cause of right! Lead up, lead on, thy minions true, To crests above, where deeds of love Proclaim the Gospel's joyful reign, Proclaim that righteousness is gain.

O shining Star, that guided far The quest of wise and ancient men To lowly shed, and manger bed, Shine forth, and lead our souls again! O, shed thy sheen of peace serene Upon the warring sons of strife! For Greed is bold, and Faith waxed cold, While Lust, rapacious, wanders rife. Men magnify the Christmas Day, Yet scorn to walk the Christian way. The age is stranger unto God, Seeks not His star, nor bears His rod, Nor sees Him in the fiery law, Or visions that the prophet saw.

O ray refulgent, Bethlehem's beam, We need thee still — thy guiding gleam! Shine now, and point the path of light To city holy, columned white; Illume these sin-beclouded eyes, Till Zion's glorious gates arise, And bursts upon our raptured view A world redeemed — created new!

O shine, blest Star, till sin's dark night Shall own the conquest of thy might, And dawn shall usher in the day When wo and death are past for ay, And all be beauteous born once more, As in the Eden days of yore.

For then shall come the King of Kings, To rise with healing in His wings; With blessed balm to heal each smart Of weary soul or burdened heart. His smile shall banish ev'ry tear. Awake, O earth! The hour is near!

Shine on, O Star, nor cease to shine, Till men behold the King divine! San Francisco, California, December 25, 1911.