Hymns for Christian Devotion Part 33

The Saviour now is born!

And bright on Bethlehem's joyous plains Breaks the first Christmas morn.

203. S. M. E. H. Chapin.

The Same.

1 Hark! hark! with harps of gold, What anthem do they sing?-- The radiant clouds have backward rolled, And angels smite the string.

"Glory to G.o.d!"--bright wings Spread glist'ning and afar, And on the hallowed rapture rings From circling star to star.

2 "Glory to G.o.d!" repeat The glad earth and the sea; And every wind and billow fleet, Bears on the jubilee.

Where Hebrew bard hath sung, Or Hebrew seer hath trod, Each holy spot has found a tongue; "Let glory be to G.o.d."

3 Soft swells the music now Along that s.h.i.+ning choir, And every seraph bends his brow And breathes above his lyre.

What words of heavenly birth Thrill deep our hearts again, And fall like dew-drops to the earth?

"Peace and good-will to men!"

4 Soft!--yet the soul is bound With rapture, like a chain: Earth, vocal, whispers them around, And heav'n repeats the strain.

Sound, harps, and hail the morn With ev'ry golden string;-- For unto us this day is born A Saviour and a King!

204. S. H. M. T. H. Bayley.

The Same.

1 No loud avenging voice Proclaimed Messiah's birth; The Son of G.o.d came down to teach Humility on earth, And by his sufferings to efface The errors of a sinful race.

2 Not on a purple throne, With gold and jewels crowned, But in the meanest dwelling place The precious babe was found: Yet star-directed sages came, And kneeling, glorified his name.

3 To shepherds first was shown The promised boon of heaven, Who cried, "To us a child is born-- To us a Son is given!"

Death from his mighty throne was hurled, Faith hailed Salvation to the world.

4 Lord! may thy holy cross Bear peace from clime to clime, Till all mankind at length are freed From sorrow, shame and crime: Dispel the unbeliever's gloom, And end the terrors of the tomb!

205. L. M. Campbell.

The Same.

1 When Jordan hushed his waters still, And silence slept on Zion's hill; When Bethlehem's shepherds through the night 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 murm'ring o'er the raptured soul.

3 "O Zion! lift thy raptured eye, The long expected hour is nigh; The joys of nature rise again, The Prince of Salem comes to reign.

4 "He comes, to cheer the trembling heart, Bids Satan and his host depart; Again the day-star gilds the gloom, Again the bowers of Eden bloom."

206. S. M. Watts.

The Same.

1 Behold, the grace appears, The blessing promised long; Angels announce the Saviour near, In this triumphant song:--

2 "Glory to G.o.d on high And heavenly peace on earth; Good-will to men, to angels joy, At the Redeemer's birth."

3 In wors.h.i.+p so divine Let men employ their tongues; With the celestial host we join, And loud repeat their songs:--

4 "Glory to G.o.d on high, And heavenly peace on earth; Good-will to men, to angels joy, At our Redeemer's birth."

207. H. M. Salisbury Coll.

The Same.

1 Hark! what celestial notes, What melody, we hear!

Soft on the morn it floats, And fills the ravished ear.

The tuneful sh.e.l.l, The golden lyre, And vocal choir, The concert swell.

2 Angelic hosts descend, With harmony divine; See, how from heaven they bend, And in full chorus join!

"Fear not," say they; Jesus, your King, "Great joy we bring: Is born to day."

3 "Glory to G.o.d on high!

Ye mortals, spread the sound, And let your raptures fly To earth's remotest bound!

For peace on earth, From G.o.d in heaven, To man is given, At Jesus' birth."

208. 7s. M. Anonymous.

The Same.