Night, and a lonely star,
Night, with its deep repose,
A gleam of light from afar--
To souls oppressed with woes.
Light of the Bethlehem-star
On the inn and the shepherd-cotes,
That breaks o’er the golden bar,
Whence the angel-anthem floats.
Song of peace upon earth,
Peace which to heaven has fled,
But shall find its second birth,
Where the blood of millions is shed.
“Peace and good will to men!”
Verily ’tis His voice,
Bidding us trust again,
Yea, even in hope to rejoice.
Let us follow the guiding ray,
Let us go to the manger and see
The things which the angel did say,
The things that must surely be.
And our doubts and our fears shall cease,
As we enter the holy place,
Where dwelleth the Prince of Peace,
The Christ-child of love and grace.
Like children we there will bend
Ourselves in true adoration,
And humbly in worship blend
With every people and nation.
And sing with the unseen choir:
“A Saviour to us is born!”
Till kindles the heavenly fire
In our hearts on Christmas morn.