Poems (White)/Christ of the Andes

by Jeannie Copes White

CHRIST OF THE ANDES

The Andes Highland, God's great fence,
To hold each country, in a sense,
To his own land, and not to disturb
The other's place by act or word.
This peace at one time seemed to be
A little trembling on the sea
Of controversy, to tell which
Should have some land; upon the hitch
Of this a hot wind did soon fan,
And that's how talk of war began.
But e'er each other's blood was shed,
God sent His shepherds, and they led
These countries into peaceful folds,
Within the arms of Christ, who holds
His dripping hands above their head,
And tells them, "Peace, Good Will," instead.
So Argentine, and Chile too,
Across these mountains did pass through,
And clasping each the other's hand,
Claimed they would live on Christian land.
And so the blood that Christ had spilt
Redeemed them from this awful guilt.

Lift high this emblem there—as well—
Europe!—These great nations tell
That He who shed His blood for all
Is pleading, and upon them call
To celebrate this Christmas day.
All honor and rich tribute pay
By planting high that all may see,
The cross, His mighty Christmas tree.
'Twill live on snow clad mountain peaks,
Or in hot desert lands you seek,
And all its fruit your land will fill,
"Of Peace on earth, to man Good Will."