Monday, December 22, 2008

The Shepherds’ Plain

 

Blessed night, when first that plain

Echoed with the joyful strain,—

“Peace has come to earth again!”

 

Blessed hills, that heard the song

Of the glorious angel-throng,

Swelling all your slopes along.

 

Happy shepherds, on whose ear

Fell the tidings glad and dear,—

“God to man is drawing near.”

 

Happy, happy, Bethlehem,

Judah’s least but brightest gem,

Where the rod from Jesse’s stem.

 

Scion of a princely race,

Sprung in Heaven’s own perfect grace,

Yet in feeble lowliness.

 

This, the woman’s promised seed,

Abram’s mighty son indeed;

Succorer of earth’s great need.

 

This the victor in our war,

This the glory see afar,

This the light of Jacob’s star!

 

Happy Judah, rise and own

Him, the heir of David’s throne

David’s Lord, and David’s Son.

 

Let the dayspring from on high,

That arose in Judah’s sky,

Cover earth eternally.

 

Babe of Bethlehem, to Thee,

Infant of eternity,

Everlasting glory be!

... Horatius Bonar (1808-1889), Hymns of Faith and Hope, first series, New York: Robert Carter and Brothers, 1866, p. 240-245 (see the book; see also Luke 2:13-14; Isa. 40:9; 52:7; 61:1-2; Mic. 5:2; Luke 1:19; 8:1; Acts 13:32-33; more at Angel, Christmas, Eternity, Gladness, Glory, God, Happiness, Heaven, Man, Night, Peace, Star, Tidings)

 
Compilation Copyright, 1996-2024, by Robert McAnally Adams,
        Curator, Christian Quotation of the Day,
        with Robert Douglas, principal contributor
Logo image Copyright 1996 by Shay Barsabe, of “Simple GIFs”, by kind permission.
Send comments to curator@cqod.com.

Last updated: 12/18/18

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