Page:The English hymnal (1906).djvu/78

 C. Coffin, 1676—1749. Tr. W J. Blew. ET sighing cease and woe,
 * God from on high hath heard.

Heaven’s gate is opening wide, and lo!
 * The long-expected Word.

2 Peace! through the deep of night
 * The heavenly choir breaks forth,

Singing, with festal songs and bright.
 * Our God and Saviour’s birth.

3 The cave of Bethlehem
 * Those wakeful shepherds seek:

Let us too rise and greet with them
 * That infant pure and meek.

4 We enter—at the door
 * What marvel meets the eye?

A crib, a mother pale and poor,
 * A child of poverty.

5 Art thou the eternal Son,
 * The eternal Father’s ray?

Whose little hand, thou infant one,
 * Doth lift the world alway?

6 Yea—faith through that dim cloud,
 * Like lightning, darts before,

And greets thee, at whose footstool bowed
 * Heaven’s trembling hosts adore.

7 Chaste be our love like thine.
 * Our swelling souls bring low,

And in our hearts, O Babe divine
 * Be born, abide, and grow.

8. So shall thy birthday morn,
 * Lord Christ, our birthday be,

Then greet we all, ourselves new-born,
 * Our King’s nativity.