December 25, 2007

• Christmas Day: "All Glory to God in the Sky"

  

  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

  All Glory to God in the Sky
  (Charles Wesley, 1744)

  All glory to God in the sky,
  And peace upon earth be restored!
  O Jesus, exalted on high,
  Appear our omnipotent Lord:
  Who meanly in Bethlehem born,
  Didst stoop to redeem a lost race,
  Once more to Thy creature return,
  And reign in Thy kingdom of grace.

  When Thou in our flesh didst appear,
  All nature acknowledged Thy birth;
  Arose the acceptable year,
  And Heaven was opened on earth.
  Receiving its Lord from above,
  The world was united to bless
  The Giver of concord and love,
  The Prince and the Author of peace.

  O wouldst Thou again be made known,
  Again in Thy Spirit descend,
  And set up in each of Thine own
  A kingdom that never shall end!
  Thou only art able to bless,
  And make the glad nations obey,
  And bid the dire enmity cease,
  And bow the whole world to Thy sway.

  Come then to Thy servants again,
  Who long Thy appearing to know,
  Thy quiet and peaceable reign,
  In mercy establish below:
  All sorrow before Thee shall fly,
  And anger and hatred be o’er,
  And envy and malice shall die,
  And discord afflict us no more.

  No horrid alarum of war
  Shall break our eternal repose;
  No sound of the trumpet is there,
  Where Jesus’ Spirit o’erflows:
  Appeased by the charms of Thy grace
  We all shall in amity join,
  And kindly each other embrace,
  And love with a passion like Thine.

  
  

  • 1:09 AM
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