Blest Christmas Morn

Blest Christ­mas morn

though mur­ky clouds

Pursue thy way

Thy light was born where storm en­shrouds

Nor dawn nor day.

Dear Christ

for­ev­er here and near

No cra­dle song

No na­tal hour and mo­ther’s tear

To Thee be­long.

Thou God-idea

Life encrowned

The Beth­le­hem Babe—

Beloved

re­plete

by flesh em­bound—

Was but Thy shade!

Thou gen­tle beam of liv­ing Love

And death­less Life!

Truth in­fi­nite—so far above

All mor­tal strife

Or cru­el creed

or earth-born taint:

Fill us to­day

With all Thou art—be Thou our saint

Our stay

al­way.