<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">Christmas Eve, 1914</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Silent, to-night, o'er Judah's hills</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Bend low the angel throng,</p><p class="line">No heavenly music fills the air</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Exultantly with song;</p><p class="line">Yet, close above the sin-scarred earth,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Broods still the Love Divine,</p><p class="line">And through the darkness, as of old,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The stars of pity shine.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Silent, to-night, is Bethlehem:</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Along the hushèd ways</p><p class="line">No eager feet of worshippers,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">No melodies of praise;</p><p class="line">Yet, in the quietness that fills</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The waiting hearts of men,</p><p class="line">The ancient miracle of hope</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Is wrought, to-night, again.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">O holy Christ! to whom, of old,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The wondering shepherds came,</p><p class="line">The light they sought with flaming joy</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">We seek in contrite shame;</p><p class="line">And though men strive, we dare to hope</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">That Thou again art born,</p><p class="line">For, through the night of our despair,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Behold! Thy star of morn!</p></div><p class="byline">Frederick M. Eliot.</p></body></html> · Great War