Blessèd Night, When First That Plain

Blessèd night

when first that plain

Echoed with the joy­ful strain

Peace has come to earth again.

Alleluia!

Blessèd hills

that heard the song

Of the glo­ri­ous an­gel throng

Swelling all your slopes along.

Alleluia!

Happy shep­herds

on whose ear

Fell the tid­ings glad and clear

God to man is draw­ing near.

Alleluia!

Happy shep­herds

on whose eyes

Shone the glo­ry from on high

Of the heav­en­ly ma­jes­ty.

Alleluia!

Happy

hap­py Beth­le­hem

Judah’s least but bright­est gem

Where the rod from Jes­se’s stem

Alleluia!

Scion of a prince­ly race

Sprung in Heav’ns own per­fect grace

Yet in fee­ble low­li­ness.

Alleluia!

This

the wo­man’s pro­mised seed

Abram’s migh­ty son in­deed;

Succorer of earth’s great need.

Alleluia!

This the vic­tor in our war

This the glo­ry seen afar

This the light of Ja­cob’s star!

Alleluia!

Happy Ju­dah

rise and own

Him

the heir of Da­vid’s throne

David’s Lord

and Da­vid’s son.

Alleluia!

Babe of pro­mise

born at last

After wea­ry ag­es past

When our hopes were ov­er­cast.

Alleluia!

Babe of weak­ness

can it be

That the earth’s great vic­to­ry

Is to be achieved by Thee?

Alleluia!

Child of meek­ness

can it be

That the proud re­bel­lious knee

Of this world shall bend to thee?

Alleluia!

Child of po­ver­ty

art Thou

He to whom all Heav’n shall bow

And all earth shall pay the vow?

Alleluia!

Can that fee­ble head alone

Bear the weight of such a crown

As be­longs to Da­vid’s son?

Alleluia!

Can these help­less hands of Thine

Wield a scep­ter so di­vine

As be­longs to Jes­se’s line?

Alleluia!

Heir of pain and toil

whom none

In this ev­il day will own

Art Thou the Eter­nal One?

Alleluia!

Thou

o’er whom the sword and rod

Wave

in haste to drink Thy blood

Art Thou ve­ry Son of God?

Alleluia!

Thus re­vealed to shep­herds’ eyes

Hidden from the great and wise

Entering earth in low­ly guise:

Alleluia!

Entering by this nar­row door

Laid up­on this roc­ky floor

Placed in yon­der man­ger poor.

Alleluia!

We adore Thee as our king

And to Thee our song we sing

Our best of­fer­ing to Thee bring

Alleluia!

Guarded by the shep­herds’ rod

’Mid their flock

Thy poor ab­ode;

Thus we own Thee

Lamb of God.

Alleluia!

Lamb of God

Thy low­ly name;

King of kings

we Thee pro­claim:

Heav’n and earth shall hear its fame.

Alleluia!

Bearer of our sins’ sad load

Wielder of the ir­on rod

Judah’s li­on

Lamb of God!

Alleluia!

Mighty King of right­eous­ness

King of glo­ry

King of peace

Never shall Thy king­dom cease!

Alleluia!

Thee

earth’s heir and Lord

we own;

Raise again its fall­en throne

Take its ev­er­last­ing crown.

Alleluia!

Blessèd Babe of Beth­le­hem

Owner of earth’s dia­dem

Claim and wear the ra­di­ant gem

Alleluia!

Scatter dark­ness with Thy light

End the sor­rows of our night;

Speak the word

and all is bright.

Alleluia!

Spoil the spoil­er of the earth

Bring cre­ation’s se­cond birth

Promised day of song and mirth.

Alleluia!

’Tis Thine Is­ra­el’s voice that calls

Build again Thy Sa­lem’s wall

Dwell with­in her ho­ly halls.

Alleluia!

’Tis Thy Church’s voice that cries

Rend these long un­rend­ed skies

Bridegroom of the Church

arise.

Alleluia!

Take to Thee Thy pow­er and reign

Purify this earth again;

Cleanse it from each curse and stain.

Alleluia!

Sun of peace

no long­er stay

Let the sha­dows flee away

And the long night end in day.

Alleluia!

Let the day­spring from high

That arose in Ju­dah’s sky

Cover earth eter­nal­ly.

Alleluia!

Babe of Beth­le­hem

to Thee

Infant of eter­ni­ty

Everlasting glo­ry be!

Alleluia!