He cometh not to Bethlehem-
He comes not to be born ;
He cometh not in lowly form
Subject to shame and scorn.
He comes not as " the carpenter "
To toil in Nazareth's shop,
He comes not as a homeless man
To sleep on mountain's top.
He comes not to Gethsemane,
Nor Pilate's judgment hall
To be the song of drunkards-
The hate and hiss of all.
He comes not to Golgotha's brow
To meet a felon's doom,
He comes not to the winding shroud
Of Joseph's silent tomb.
He comes, He comes with splendor-
The heavens flashing red !
Ten thousand wreaths of glory
Crown His effulgent head.
He comes with countless angels,
With all His saints in train ;
He comes with awful majesty-
He comes to earth to reign.
God's gleaming shafts of glory
Throw halos round His path ;
He wears a blood-stained vesture,
And on His thigh He hath
A name of conquest written
Which trembling sinners-read.
He comes, He comes appointed
Earth's wine-press now to tread !
His thorn-scarred brow is mitered
With diadems of light ;
His feet like brass are burning,
His eyes transpiercing bright,
His flight is like the eagle's
Yea, like the lightning's flash,
Swooping from radiant regions
Earth's godless powers to smash.
Earth's mastering sword is wielded
By His almighty hand :
When He strikes down the nations,
What foe can hope to stand ?
All human thrones must perish,
And man's proud empires fall Ere
Christ, " the King immortal,"
Reigns o'er this earthly ball.
Look, look, ye fiery seraphs !
And gaze, ye mortals, gaze!
Behold upon earth's blazing throne
The Christ of ancient days-
Despised by Jew and Gentile,
Condemned by human law,
Before that once-slain Victim
Bend now with holy awe !
Rejoice, rejoice, ye ransomed !
Let songs your tongues employ ;
Dispel all gloom and sadness,
And let your tears be dry.
When Christ descends from heaven
In all His bright array,
You'll share the full orbed glory
Of His long promised day.
Seek not the world's approval,
Court not its luring smile,
Be true to Him who's coming,
Throughout this " little while."
Seek, seek His approbation,
His holy will discern,
Hold fast His faithful promise,
And for His coming yearn.
Then shall His " well done " welcome,
And His approving gaze
Increase your joys to rapture,
Inspire still fuller praise.
And when He comes forth conquering
You'll follow in His train,
And share the countless honors
Of His all-glorious reign.
C. C. Crowston