When Came in Flesh the Incarnate Word

When came in flesh the in­car­nate Word

The heed­less world slept on

And on­ly sim­ple shep­herds heard

That God had sent His Son.

When comes the Sav­ior at the last

From east to west shall shine

The aw­ful pomp

and earth aghast

Shall trem­ble at the sign.

Then shall the pure of heart be blest;

As mild He comes to them

As when up­on the vir­gin’s breast

He lay at Beth­le­hem.

As mild to meek eyed love and faith

Only more strong to save;

Strengthened by ha­ving bowed to death

By hav­ing burst the grave.

Lord

who could dare see Thee des­cend

In state

un­less he knew

Thou art the sor­row­ing sin­ner’s friend

The gracious and the true?

Dwell in our hearts

O Sav­ior blest;

So shall Thine ad­vent’s dawn

’Twixt us and Thee

our bo­som guest

Be but the veil with­drawn.