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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
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 Chap. Copyright No. 
 
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 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
How Christmas Was Kept in Heaven 
 
How Christmas Was Kept 
 in Heaven 
 
 REV. NORMAN PLASS 
 
 Author of " Buds that Bloom on Bonnier Banks ' 
 
 "Therefore are they before the throne of God ; and they serve him day 
 and night in his temple ; and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his 
 tabernacle over them." — The Apocalypse. 
 
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 New York Chicago Toronto 
 
 Fleming H. Revell Company 
 
 Publishers of Evangelical LiteratLiie 
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Copyright, 1899 [ O -^ *^ ' ^ 
 
 FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY ' ' "-^ I 
 
 TWO COPIES HECEIVED. 
 
 Library of Congr«C% 
 OfHcB of tl|« 
 
 Register of Capyrlghffc 
 
 49515 
 
 DEDICATED 
 
 TO MY LITTLE SON 
 
 ^ RAYMOND BENEDICT 
 
 God-Sent from Heaven a Messenger of 
 Joy to Lonely Hearts 
 
 SECOND COPY* 
 
How Christmas Was Kept in Heaven 
 
 A GROUP of children are gathered together 
 Who have passed from earth to heaven this 
 year; 
 They are eagerly chatting, and questioning 
 whether 
 The Birth of the Christ they hold so dear 
 Will be observed in the realms of heaven 
 
 As it was last year upon the earth, 
 When tokens that gladden the heart were 
 given, 
 And all was festivity, joy and mirth. 
 
 " My children dear," speaks an angel near, 
 " If you would know, to me give ear 
 And all your doubts will 1 remove." 
 It is Agape the Angel of Love. 
 
 " What you have called the Birth of Christ 
 Is to us the day He sacrificed 
 The glories He had had with God, 
 And chose the path by mortals trod. 
 
HOIV CHRISTMAS U/AS KEPT IN HEAI^EN 
 
 It brought to earth a reign of peace, 
 
 But wrought in heaven our joy's decrease; 
 
 Gladness to you did it impart, 
 
 But pain and grief to God's fond heart; 
 Of what you gained was He bereft, 
 For at His side was no child left; 
 
 And heaven was lorn when Christ was 
 gone, 
 
 For in God's love He stood alone. 
 
 " But since He sought the earth below 
 To sound the depths of human woe 
 And tread the press of wrath alone, 
 That for man's sin He might atone, 
 Angels who blessed His name before 
 With endless anthems now adore; 
 
 And saints whose souls His deeds redeem 
 Make His acclaim their constant theme. 
 But be assured we celebrate 
 The time that marks a deed so great; 
 Tomorrow comes the day you prize, — 
 It is ' The Day of Sacrifice.' " 
 
 The morrow dawned. Not such a dawning 
 
 as is known 
 To mortals on the earth beneath when 
 
 night has flown, 
 
 10 
 
HO^V CHRISTMAS IV^S KEPT IN HEAl^EN 
 
 For night comes not in heaven and hence 
 
 does not recede; 
 Where none grow weary, rest and slumber 
 none can need; 
 They who are serving in God's temple 
 
 night and day 
 Mark not a shadow's fall nor note it§ 
 flight away. 
 
 Yet when the morning came, a brighter 
 
 radiance shone 
 Forth from the face of God and round 
 
 about the throne; 
 The streets and walls stood out in stronger 
 
 gleams of light, 
 And every jewel flashed with scintillations 
 
 bright. 
 Renewed alertness was apparent 
 
 everywhere, 
 For mortals were astir and needed 
 
 special care. 
 
 It is the dawning of the morning — 
 The Anniversary Day — 
 When Christ came forth from heaven 
 And hope to earth was given. 
 
 13 
 
HOPV CHRISTM/1S IV AS KEPT IN HEAl^EN 
 
 We sing the story of the glory 
 That He aside did lay, 
 That He might come in meel<ness 
 To be our strength in weakness. 
 
 It is the voicing of rejoicing 
 That drives all care away, 
 For Christ dispels our sadness 
 And sheds forth joy and gladness. 
 
 But 'mid the praises earth upraises 
 The saints in heaven hold sway; 
 In radiant light they glisten; 
 Let earth be still and listen. 
 
 A COUNTLESS host that none can name, 
 Of every tribe and tongue, 
 
 In white array before the Lamb 
 Join in their triumph song: 
 
 ' Salvation to our God belongs. 
 
 Who sitteth on the throne; 
 
 And endless praises to the Lamb, 
 
 Whose deeds for sin atone." 
 14 
 
HOIV CHRISTMAS IVAS KEPT IN HEAI/EN 
 
 Then angels standing round the throne 
 
 Upon their faces fall, 
 And bowing low before their God 
 
 Exalt Him Lord of all: 
 
 " May blessing, glory, wisdom be 
 Unto our sovereign Lord; 
 Thanksgiving, honor, power and might. 
 They chant with sweet accord. 
 
 Then all respond with loudest praise 
 That rings through Paradise; 
 
 It is the welcome heaven gives 
 The Day of Sacrifice: 
 
 " We sing the praise 
 Of Him who lays 
 
 His heavenly glory by, 
 And goes to earth 
 Through humble birth, 
 
 Its tasks to glorify. 
 
 " Tempted was He 
 
 As man must be. 
 That He might lend him aid; 
 
 In time of grief 
 
 He brought relief, — 
 'Tis I, be not afraid.' 
 
 17 
 
HOIV CHRISTMAS IVAS KEPT IN HEAVEN 
 
 " The thorns He wore, 
 
 The cross He bore, 
 Rejection was His lot; 
 
 For man He died, 
 
 The Crucified, 
 Himself regarded not. 
 
 " We mark the day 
 
 He went away, 
 Its memory preserve; 
 
 We praise His name 
 
 With loud acclaim. 
 And in that name we serv-e." 
 
 Then all are silent, and awaiting stand 
 As though some special message to receive; 
 God gives to each a mission to achieve — 
 
 Angel and saint alike — in every land. 
 
 Quickly they turn and gladly haste away; 
 To hovel and to palace door they speed 
 To minister to human woe and need 
 
 Where'er the curse of sin holds regal sway. 
 
 Their flight so fleet 
 
 They joyous beat, 
 
 And speed the way of weary feet. 
 
 18 
 
HO IV CHRISTMAS IV AS KEPT IN HE Ay EN 
 
 Burdens they lift 
 
 With mercy swift, 
 
 And deck woe-clouds with shining rift. 
 
 The sick they bless, 
 
 The sad caress, 
 
 And fill each soul with happiness. 
 
 Fond hope bestow 
 Where'er they go, 
 And set each heart with joy aglow. 
 
 Behold them ranging earth's domain. 
 Where to each home they access gain 
 As noiselessly as taps the rain 
 Of Summer 'gainst the window-pane. 
 
 Hither and yon each swiftly darts. 
 Soothing life's sharp and biting smarts, 
 Bearing a balm to bleeding hearts, 
 Healing earth's woes by heaven's best arts. 
 
 When they are gone Agape waits — 
 
 She only left behind; 
 God turns to her and indicates 
 
 Her welcome task assigned: 
 
 21 
 
HOIV CHRISTMAS IVAS EPT IN HE/1VEN 
 
 " Your work is with your children friends, 
 To show the happy way 
 In which the host of heaven spends 
 What they call Christmas Day. 
 
 " Be sure to have them comprehend 
 That deeds of sacrifice 
 Will everywhere the day attend 
 Which they so greatly prize. 
 
 " Let them engage in works of love, 
 And lead them to achieve. 
 That far more blessed it may prove 
 To give than to receive." 
 
 When Agape heard the message 
 
 She with joy began her task; 
 Gathering the children round her. 
 
 First inquired what they would ask; 
 Then to satisfy the longing 
 
 Of each little throbbing heart. 
 With them all atrailing after 
 
 Did at once for earth depart: 
 Went with them to every Kingdom; 
 
 Showed them men in every State; 
 
 Showed them where the lowly dwelleth; 
 
 Showed the palace of the great; 
 22 
 
HO IV CHRISTM/iS IV AS KEPT IN HEAVEN 
 
 Showed them joy and showed them sorrow; 
 
 Showed them gain and showed them loss; 
 Showed them that what men most seek for . 
 
 Is in heaven's sight but dross; 
 Showed them how the heavenly message 
 
 God had sent to earth that day 
 By each messenger was carried. 
 
 To each heart without delay; 
 Let them see how it was welcomed, 
 
 Or was spurned by bitter hearts, 
 And how what to one brings gladness 
 
 To another grief imparts; 
 Let them see that while on Christmas 
 
 All without is joy and mirth. 
 Many, many a heart is burdened 
 
 With a grief that bows to earth. 
 Then she told them they might scatter 
 
 To whatever points they chose, 
 And might do what most they longed to 
 
 That would lighten human woes; 
 But when night began to gather. 
 
 They should speed to Paradise 
 And relate what they had witnessed 
 
 On the Day of Sacrifice. 
 
 25 
 
HOIV CHRISTMAS IVAS KEPT IN HEAl^EN 
 
 Thus released they sped away; 
 And their hearts were doubly glad 
 For each child a message had 
 
 For some friend that Christmas Day, 
 So each on his mission hasted, 
 Not a moment to be wasted. 
 
 One went to see a lady 
 
 Who kind to him had been 
 Because he was an outcast, — 
 
 The child of many a sin. 
 
 He said: "Through what you taught me 
 
 In heaven now I'm safe; 
 God bless your soul this Christmas 
 
 Because you loved a waif. 
 
 "I thought you'd like to know it 
 That happy you might be, 
 And kind to other outcasts 
 As you were kind to me." 
 
 She heard the words of comfort, 
 
 Forgot her friends at home, 
 Went forth to seek the lost ones 
 
 Wherever they might roam; 
 
 26 
 
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HOIV CHRISTMAS lVy4S KEPT IN HEAVEN 
 
 Told them that Christ the Saviour 
 
 hi love for them had died; 
 And through what her lips taught them 
 
 Their souls were satisfied. 
 
 One went to a home of sorrow 
 
 Where a mother was weeping sore 
 Because God had taken the baby 
 
 That on her breast she bore; 
 Her heart overflowed with anguish, 
 
 For "God has been cruel," she said; 
 She nourished her thoughts of rebellion 
 
 And would not be comforted. 
 
 The one who comes now is the loved one 
 
 Whom God had taken away; 
 She had longed for his blessed presence 
 
 For many and many a day. 
 But now while she sits complaining 
 
 That Christmas can have no joy, 
 She feels in her arms so empty 
 
 The form of her baby boy. 
 
 He rests there as once he was resting 
 When God came and took him away, 
 
 Only now he looks so enraptured 
 She dares not ask that he stay. 
 
 29 
 
HO IV CHRISTMAS fVAS KEPT IN HEAVEN 
 
 How blessed to have him with her, 
 To feel his dear head on her breast! 
 
 But she would no longer detain him 
 Away from the land of the blest. 
 
 So he flits away from her vision; 
 
 She throws him a kiss as he goes; 
 Sweet peace possesses her bosom; 
 
 With rapture her heart overflows. 
 Her sorrow has not departed, 
 
 There are moments of sadness and pain. 
 But now she turns her eyes upward 
 
 Away from her loss to his gain. 
 
 One visited a home where poverty 
 Ground down the inmates to the last degree, 
 Where flickering faith declined to longer stay. 
 And love had almost found the path away; 
 Where all was want and ruin and despair. 
 Without fond hope intruding anywhere. 
 He came to bring that hope, that faith restore, 
 To bid that love abide forevermore. 
 He pointed to the Christ, and bade endure 
 Through thought of Him who on the earth was 
 poor. 
 
 30 
 
HO^ CHRISTMAS IVAS KEPT IN HEAI^EN 
 
 They bade Christ enter, and the blessing brought 
 In heart and home a transformation wrought; 
 And then in place of craven want and fear 
 There was enthroned the angel of good cheer. 
 
 One went to cheer a drunkard, 
 Who stood on ruin's brink 
 
 Because he could not conquer 
 His burning thirst for drink. 
 
 Sitting upon a curbing 
 
 Within an alley-way. 
 His heart was filled with moanings 
 
 That merry Christmas Day. 
 
 "Cheer up, O man," a voice said: 
 "There's no room for despair; 
 I have just come from heaven 
 And want to see you there. 
 
 "Many a time you've fallen, 
 Alone you cannot stand. 
 But Jesus Christ can help you — 
 Just let Him take your hand. 
 
 33 
 
HOM/ CHRISTMAS IV /tS KEPT IN HEAVEN 
 
 " He is the friend of sinners, 
 He knows your every need; 
 Look up to Him in weakness 
 And you'll be strong indeed." 
 
 The drunkard heard, and summoned 
 What will-power still remained; 
 
 Throwing himself on Jesus, 
 The victory he gained. 
 
 One hasted to see his father, 
 
 Whose soul was sorely rent 
 Because from the realm of spirits 
 
 God's messenger was sent 
 To take from the earth forever 
 
 The only son that he had; 
 Now he was bowed in bereavement, 
 
 And his heart was lonely and sad. 
 
 The face of the boy was clouded 
 
 As to the father he came; 
 As the father's look was somber, 
 
 The child's reflected the same. 
 " 1 am grieved, my dearest father. 
 
 To see your heart so sad; 
 
 If you knew my joy in heaven 
 
 I am sure you would be glad. 
 34 
 
HO IV CHRISTM/1S IV /IS KEPT IN HE A k^ EN 
 
 "1 am happier far than I could be 
 
 On earth with every joy; 
 Beyond the power of the Tempter, 
 
 My peace is without alloy; 
 More useful far to the Master 
 
 Than I on earth could be, 
 My life is a stream of gladness 
 
 That flows through eternity." 
 
 The father saw how selfish 
 
 The thought of his heart had been; 
 He had lost sight of the blessing 
 
 In the blindness of grief within. 
 " If God will forgive my weakness 
 
 As in penitence I come, 
 I will learn to rejoice that my loved one 
 
 Is safe in the heavenly home." 
 
 One went to a home where plenty reigned. 
 Where thought of want was not entertained; 
 But where there were hearts dissatisfied 
 Because they were ruled by selfish pride ; 
 Where to get was the only object of living, 
 And none ever had the thought of giving. 
 
 37 
 
HO IV CHRISTMAS IV AS KEPT IN HEAVEN 
 
 He told of those who were poorly clad, 
 With countenance haggard and eyes that were 
 sad; 
 He told of needs that were pressing sore; 
 Of hungry children that lived next door. 
 
 Like a Christ-child he stood rebuking their 
 
 greed, 
 While pleading for those who were dying in 
 need. 
 
 Their hearts were never so touched before; 
 They took at once of their bountiful store 
 And sent it abroad to every home 
 Where the specter of want could possibly 
 come. 
 Such a glad Christmas Day there never had been 
 In the homes of the poor as there was then; 
 But gladdest of all were the hearts that gave 
 
 heed 
 To the message of love that conquered their 
 greed. 
 
 Thus the children, sent from heaven, 
 
 Went on messages of love; 
 Went to those they loved the dearest; 
 
 Turned their thoughts to things above; 
 
 38 
 
HO IV CHRISTMAS IV AS KEPT IN HEAVEN 
 
 Went in joy; returned in gladness; 
 
 In their hearts a sweet surprise; 
 Now they knew that choicest blessings 
 
 Lay in deeds of sacrifice. 
 Then rehearsed to one another, 
 
 While Agape listened too, 
 What they saw the angels doing, 
 
 What they each were sent to do; 
 Told the blessings that were granted 
 
 To the friends to whom they went; 
 Told the hope, the joy, the comfort, 
 
 To each soul from heaven sent; 
 Thought that Christmas as earth knew it 
 
 Was not spent in any wise 
 With one-half as much of pleasure 
 
 As the Day of Sacrifice; 
 Praised the Saviour for His goodness 
 
 When He bade Agape say 
 That the eternal years of heaven 
 
 Should be one glad Christmas Day. 
 
 41 
 
DEG 1 1899 
 
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