The Scene Around Me Disappears

The scene around me dis­ap­pears

And borne to an­cient re­gions

While time re­calls the flight of years

I see an­gel­ic le­gions

Descending in an orb of light

Amidst the dark and si­lent night

I hear ce­les­ti­al voic­es.

Tidings

glad tid­ings

from ab­ove

To ev­ery age and na­tion;

Tidings

glad tid­ings

God is love;

To man He sends sal­va­tion;

His Son be­loved

His on­ly Son

The work of mer­cy hath be­gun;

Give to His name the glo­ry.

Through Da­vid’s ci­ty I am led;

Here all around are sleep­ing;

A light di­rects to yon poor shed

Where lone­ly watch is keep­ing;

I enter—ah! what glo­ries shine!

Is this Im­ma­nu­el’s earth­ly shrine?

Messiah’s in­fant tem­ple?

It is

it is; and I ad­ore

This Strang­er meek and low­ly

As saints and ser­aphs bow be­fore

The throne of God thrice ho­ly;

Faith through the veil of flesh can see

The face of Thy div­in­ity

My Lord

my God

my Sav­ior!