163

"Gelobet seist Du, Jesu Christ."

2 Once did the skies before Thee bow;
A virgin's arms contain Thee now:
Angels who did in Thee rejoice
Now listen for Thine infant voice.
3 A little child Thou art our guest,
That weary ones in Thee may rest;
Forlorn and lowly is Thy birth,

That we may rise to Heaven from earth.

4 Thou comest in the darksome night To make us children of the light, To make us, in the realms divine, Like Thine own angels round Thee shine. Rev. Martin Luther (1483-1546), 1524. Ab. 164 "The Prince of Salem."

I WHEN Jordan hushed his waters still,
And silence slept on Zion's hill; [night
When Bethlehem's shepherds thro' the
Watched o'er their flocks by starry light:

2 Hark, from the midnight hills around,
A voice of more than mortal sound
In distant hallelujahs stole,
Wild murmuring o'er the raptured soul.
3 On wheels of light, on wings of flame,
The glorious hosts of Zion came;
High Heaven with songs of triumph rung,
While thus they struck their harps, and

sung:

I GOOD news from Heaven the angels bring,

2

Glad tidings to the earth they sing:
To us this day a Child is given,

To crown us with the joy of Heaven.

To us that blessedness He brings,
Which from the Father's bounty springs:
That in the heavenly realm we may
With Him enjoy eternal day.

3 Were earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
She yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.
4 Ah, dearest Jesus, Holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.

Rev. Martin Luther, 1535
Tr. by Rev. Arthur Tozer Russell (1806-1874), 1848. Ab

2 Hark! hark! to God the chorus breaks,
From every host, from every gem;
But one alone the Saviour speaks,
It is the Star of Bethlehem.

3 Once on the raging seas I rode,

The storm was loud, the night was dark, The ocean yawned, and rudely blowed The wind that tossed my foundering bark.

4 Deep horror then my vitals froze;

Death-struck, I ceased the tide to stem; When suddenly a star arose,

It was the Star of Bethlehem.

5 It was my guide, my light, my all,
It bade my dark forebodings cease;
And, thro' the storm and danger's thrall,
It led me to the port of peace.

6 Now safely moored, my perils o'er,
I'll sing, first in night's diadem,
Forever and for evermore,

2 'Tis now fulfilled what God decreed, "From Jacob shall a star proceed: And lo, the Eastern sages stand, To read in Heaven the Lord's command. 3 O Jesus, while the star of grace Invites us now to seek Thy face, May we no more that grace repel, Or quench that light which shines so well. Prof. Charles Coffin (1676-1749), 1736. Alt. Tr. by Rev. John Chandler (1806-1876), 1837. Ab.

2

O blest the land, the city blest

Where Christ, the Ruler, is confest:
O happy hearts and happy homes,
To whom this King of triumph comes.
3 Redeemer, come, I open wide
My heart to Thee; here, Lord, abide:
Let me Thy mighty presence feel,
Thy grace and love in me reveal.

4 So come, my Sovereign, enter in;
Let new and nobler life begin:
Thy Holy Spirit guide us on,
Until our shining goal is won.

Rev. George Weissel (1590-1635), Bet. 1623-1635. Tr. by Miss Catherine Winkworth (1829-1878), 1855, Ab. and alt.

REGENT SQUARE. 8.7.4.

HENRY SMART (1812-1879), 1867.

2 Shepherds, in the field abiding,

Watching o'er your flocks by night, God with man is now residing;

Yonder shines the infant-light;
Come and worship,

Worship Christ, the new-born King.

3 Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star:

Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born King. 4 Saints before the altar bending,

Watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:

Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the new-born King.
James Montgomery (1771-1854), 1819, 1825. Ab, and alt.

1170

Christ's Coming.

I JESUS came, the Heavens adoring,
Came with peace from realms on high;
Jesus came for man's redemption,
Lowly came on earth to die:
Hallelujah Hallelujah!
Came in deep humility.

2 Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing,
Bringing news of sins forgiven;
Jesus comes in sounds of gladness,
Leading souls redeemed to Heaven:
Hallelujah Hallelujah!
Now the gate of death is riven.

3 Jesus comes in joy and sorrow,
Shares alike our hopes and fears;
Jesus comes whate'er befalls us,
Glads our hearts, and dries our tears:
Hallelujal Hallelujah!
Cheering e'en our failing years.

2 Listen to the wondrous story, Which they chant in hymns of joy: "Glory in the highest, glory,

Glory be to God most high.

3 "Peace on earth, good-will from Heaven, Reaching far as man is found; Souls redeemed, and sins forgiven, Loud our golden harps shall sound. 4 "Christ is born, the great Anointed; Heaven and earth His glory sing: Glad receive whom God appointed For your Prophet, Priest, and King. 5 "Hasten, mortals, to adore Him;

Learn His Name and taste His joy: Till in Heaven you sing before Him, "Glory be to God most high."

3 Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a Child, and yet a King,
Born to reign in us for ever,
Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring.

4 By Thine own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

174

Rev. Charles Wesley, (1708-1788), 1744

"The Brightness of His Glory."
HEB. i. 3.

I BRIGHTNESS of the Father's glory,
Shall Thy praise unuttered lie?
Fly, my tongue, such guilty silence,
Sing the Lord who came to die.

2 Did archangels sing Thy coming?

Did the shepherds learn their lays?
Shame would cover me ungrateful,
Should my tongue refuse to praise.

3 From the highest throne of glory,
To the cross of deepest woe-
All to ransom guilty captives;
Flow, my praise, forever flow.

4 Go, return, immortal Saviour,
Leave Thy footstool, take Thy throne;
Thence return, and reign forever;
Be the Kingdom all Thine own.

Rev. Robert Robinson (1735-1790), 1774. SI. alt.