Hymns for Advent and Christmas/The Nativity I.
THE NATIVITY.
When the Time by prophets spoken
Of the promise made to them,
By Him, whose word cannot be broken,
"That at lowly Bethlehem,
"Where the holy David dwelling,
Once a lowly shepherd-boy,
To the harp's melodious swelling
Chanted forth his Psalms of joy,
"Should arise a Star of Glory,
Shedding light on all around;"
(As we read in Sacred Story,)
Had by God's command come round;
Then within that royal City,
Came the prophet's Daughter meek,
Yet nowhere did any pity
Her so gentle, her so weak.
In a cave, where cattle feeding,
Lowed around the Mother mild,
While the world passed by unheeding,
She brought forth th' Eternal Child.
Everlasting praise be given
Unto Thee, Emmanuel,
Thou the eternal Lord of Heaven,
Now art born with men to dwell;
Angels lost in adoration,
Seeing Heaven bowed to earth,
Rapt in silent contemplation,
Ponder o'er Thy wondrous Birth,
Yea, they shall for ever ponder,
Lost in thought unspeakable,
O'er the everlasting wonder,—
God hath deigned with man to dwell.