WHOSOEVER ON THE NIGHT OF CHRIST’S NATIVITY

A Hymn for Christmas Eve

Text: John A. Dalles, June 29, 2012

Suggested tunes: CAIRNBROOK, SINCLAIR

Meter: 8585D

Whosoever on the night of Christ’s nativity

through the shadows, bears the light of One who sets us free—

Brings a gift for those in sorrow and a word of grace—

Shall in life beyond tomorrow shine like stars ablaze!

Bring a bone with bounteous flavor, for lamenting hounds;

Bring a wisp of honeyed hay for steeds on shivering grounds;

Bring a brace of brushwood kindling, for the drafty hearth;

Bring a joyous song unending, singing peace on earth!

For the birds on branches dreary, bring a dish of crumbs;

Bring red garlands of bright berries, for the tattered ones;

Bring a treat for children famished, bread and blessings blend;

For the ones whose hope has vanished: Come and be a friend!

Whosoever brings a blessing, shall receive as well,

Harmonies of joy unceasing, more than time can tell;

After they are stooped and feeble, when earth’s days will cease,

They will walk anew and able in unending peace!

Whosoever on the night of Christ’s nativity

through the shadows, bears the light of One who sets us free—

Brings a gift for those in sorrow and a word of grace—

Shall in life beyond tomorrow shine like stars ablaze!

Copyright © 2012, John A. Dalles

This Christmas Eve Hymn was inspired by the following anonymous quotation:

Whosoever on the night of the nativity of the young Lord Jesus, in the great snows, shall fare forth bearing a succulent bone for the lost and lamenting hounds, a wisp of hay for the shivering horse, a cloak of warm raiment for the stranded wayfarer, a bundle of brushwood for the shivering widow, a garland of bright red berries for one who has worn chains, a dish of crumbs with a song of love for all huddled birds who thought that song was dead, and various lavish delicacies for such children’s faces that peer from lonely windows, to them shall be offered and returned gifts of such an astonishment as will rival the hues of the peacock and the harmonies of heaven; so that though they live to the great age when they go stooping and querulous because of the nothing that is left of them, yet shall they walk upright and remembering, as those whose hearts shine like blazing stars, in their chest.

-          Author unknown, alt. JAD June 2012