Calm Was the Hallowed Night!

Calm was the hal­lowed night!

Valley and mount­ain height

Slumbered in shade.

Roofed by Heav’n’s az­ure fair

Making their flocks their care

Shepherds

in op­en air

Tranquilly stayed.

Suddenly round them shone

Dazzling to look up­on

Splendors of light;

Then drew an an­gel near

And

to al­lay their fear

Poured on their rav­ished ear

Words of de­light!

Ne’er since the world be­gan

Music so sweet to man

Sounded abroad;

On that aus­pi­cious morn

Changing our state for­lorn

Christ as a babe was born

Jesus the Lord!

Well might the tid­ings told

Waken your harps of gold

Chorus un­seen!

Sweet rang your min­strel­sy

Glory to God on high!

Peace on earth

am­nes­ty

Good will to­wards men!

Well might the shep­herds haste

Ere yet the night was past

That thing to see;

Where light the me­te­or shed

Well might the ma­gi tread

Joyful

the path that led

Savior

to Thee.

Infant of Beth­le­hem!

Now do I seek

like them

Thy mean abode;

There in Thy strange dis­guise

Thee do I re­cog­nize

Maker of earth and skies

Almighty God!

Mysteries so deep de­ter

Nature’s proud rea­son­er

Scorning God’s word:

Thee

whom the Fa­ther seals

He to Thy seed re­veals;

Each to this man­date kneels

Thus saith the Lord.

Wonderful

Coun­sel­or!

Thee whom the vir­gin bore

Thee I re­ceive;

God e’er the world be­gan

Perfect God

per­fect man

Mystery too deep to scan

This I be­lieve.

Lo

at Thy feet I lay

Giving my­self away

All that is mine;

Treasures I none un­fold

Frankincense

myrrh

or gold

One sin­ful heart be­hold

Take it for Thine.

Father! Thy love I bless

Who in our deep dis­tress

Gavest Thy Son!

Savior! I Thee adore

Spirit! Thine unc­tion pour;

Thee I praise ev­er­more

Great Three in One!