OH WORLD OF JOY, OH EARTH OF PEACE

It is difficult to explain, but I feel there are certain thoughts and phrases which have been taken from heaven and sent directly to earth. Many of them are of the Christ-child's birth. The words, the feelings--well, they are awe inspiring and truly profound. They come in the form of Christmas songs. They often leave me feeling breathless, as a thrill surges through my body and my heart feels suspended in mid-air. Thoughts come to my mind such as, "Yes, yes, that is it. That is exactly how it was on His sacred day of birth." One day, as I was listening to many Christmas songs, I thought it would be interesting to take familiar words and phrases from them and to weave them together into a poem. This is what happened. Do you recognize the songs?

OH WORLD OF JOY, OH EARTH OF PEACE

Once upon the mid-night clear,

when silent stars shown round the Light,

One silent night, one holy night,

when all was calm, and all was bright.

Oh little town called Bethlehem,

oh crowded town--no empty bed,

except the manger far away,

a hay-filled trough, a lowly shed.

With angels bending near the earth,

while quiet, the lowing cattle stray,

near the Child's side they watch,

sleeping on a bed of hay.

The wisemen traveled very far,

with wond'ring awe, they saw the star,

gleaming, beaming, ever bright,

while shepherds watched their flocks by night.

Angels, they were heard on high,

praising, singing o'er the plains,

"Receive your King, adore your King,"

oh joyous sounds, oh joyful strains.

"Oh World of Joy, Oh Earth of Peace,"

oh, let the golden harpist ring.

"Hark, oh Hark," the angels sing,

"Glory to the wondrous King."