1 Now angels down have flown, now glory bright has shone,
Now shepherds see the light and hear the voice:
"Fear not; behold, I bring glad tidings of your king;
Let all the nations of earth now rejoice."
2 Sing a new song tonight, sing, all ye stars of light,
The Lord of Glory leaves His glorious heav’n.
To earth behold Him come from His celestial home;
To us a Child is born, a Son is giv’n!
3 O music of the past, the sweetest and the last
Of all the notes of ages gone is this,
That tells of His great birth, that sings of peace on earth,
And man restored to more than primal bliss.
4 O lingering night, speed on! arise, thou golden sun,
And bring in eager joy the day of days.
When the eternal Word creation’s King and Lord,
Takes flesh that He may flesh to glory raise.
5 O wailing winds, be still, o’er sea and plain and hill;
O storm and thunder, halt your tumult, cease;
And breathe, thou loving gale, thy odors soft exhale,
To greet the coming of the Prince of Peace.
6 He comes to breathe our air, our very flesh to wear;
He comes to die our death, to bear our load;
He comes to still our fears, to wipe our falling tears,
To heal and bless us—O Jesus of God!
7 Over yon silent peak, I see the foreglow break,
That tells of glory earth has never known;
The glory of the King, to whom all tribes shall bring
Their deepest homage, praise, honor and crown.
8 Sing out, ye sons of men, a louder, loftier strain!
Lift up your voice, O happy, blest Bethlehem!
Let psalm and hymn ascend, and with the incense blend
Arising from thy shrine, Jerusalem!
Source: The Cyber Hymnal #9176
Horatius Bonar was born at Edinburgh, in 1808. His education was obtained at the High School, and the University of his native city. He was ordained to the ministry, in 1837, and since then has been pastor at Kelso. In 1843, he joined the Free Church of Scotland. His reputation as a religious writer was first gained on the publication of the "Kelso Tracts," of which he was the author. He has also written many other prose works, some of which have had a very large circulation. Nor is he less favorably known as a religious poet and hymn-writer. The three series of "Hymns of Faith and Hope," have passed through several editions.
--Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872… Go to person page >
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