On This Night, Most Holy

On this night

most ho­ly

In cir­cum­stance low­ly

Unfolded the sto­ry

Which pro­phets fore­told.

Though heav’ns could not hold Him

Mary’s arms en­fold Him

Holding to her bo­som

This Child who is God!

The vir­gin is nurs­ing

This won­drous in­fant King—

The Word that was made flesh

To end our des­pair.

While an­gels ad­ore Him

Shepherds kneel be­fore Him

And kings from the east

Follow af­ter His star.

To Beth­le­hem hast­en!

See Je­sus awak­en!

The sta­ble is glow­ing

With this Light of lights!

Come hear the great sto­ry

Of God’s crown­ing glo­ry:

The Sav­ior In­car­nate—

God with us unites.

Now church bells are ring­ing

And Christ­ians are sing­ing

While of­f’ring their gifts

In de­vo­tion and love.

Your peo­ple are wait­ing

And an­ti­ci­pat­ing

The day You re­turn

From the heav­ens above.