I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and clear call that may not be denied:
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.  

-John Masefield 

Soloist: Leah Biggs 

At midnight in the somber hour,
A wondrous tone often sounds: 
Like that from a mother’s dear mouth,
A song of friendly consolation.

In sweet, unobserved tears
It dissolves the heart’s anxious pain,
And cradles all discouraged longing
And all sorrow

As if the May of life were returned,
The heart stirs wonderfully:
Then sounds surge, songs awaken,
The soul becomes young and pure.

So sounds the peaceful ringing,
But I never understand the tune,
And only now and then might interpret it 
As if it were the melody of childhood.  

-Robert Eduard Prust

Mwokosi amezaliwa tushangilie! 

The Savior is born.  Let us rejoice and celebrate!