Christmas Night (Smith)

’Tis Christ­mas night. ’Tis Christ­mas night

Judea’s plains are bathed in white

And faint and far a ris­ing star

Gives pro­mise of a fair­er light.

’Tis Christ­mas night. Hushed old earth is

A mo­ther wakes from pain to bliss

And clasps her Boy in ho­ly joy

And wor­ships

while she bends to kiss.

’Tis Christ­mas night. Where skies are rift

A cloud of an­gels earth­ward drift.

The song they sing through time shall ring

The hearts that wea­ry

to up­lift.

’Tis Christ­mas night. By track­less road

The wise men haste with pre­cious load

And kneel­ing

bring the in­fant King

The hom­age that a world hath owed.

Oh

world of sleep­ers

lift your head.

Today

anew

the word is sped

That Christ is born this Christ­mas morn

And hate and fear and gloom are dead.

Still shines the star on Christ­mas night.

Still an­gels sing be­yond our sight.

And He who came in low­ly fame

Shall lead us into per­fect light.