1. A thousand years have come and gone,
and near a thousand more,
Since happier light from Heaven shone
than ever shone before:
And in the hearts of old and young
a joy most joyful stirred.
That sent such news from tongue to tongue
as ears had never heard.

2. Then angels on their starry way
felt bliss unfelt before,
For news that men should be as they
to darkened earth they bore;
So toiling men and spirits bright
a first communion had,
And in meek mercy’s rising light
were each exceeding glad.

3. And we are glad, and we will sing,
as in the days of yore;
Come all, and hearts made ready bring,
to welcome back once more
The day when first on wintry earth
a summer change began,
And, dawning in a lowly birth
uprose the Light of man.

4. For trouble such as men must bear
from childhood to fourscore,
He shared with us, that we might share
His joy forevermore;
And twice a thousand years of grief
of conflict, and of sin,
May tell how large the harvest sheaf
His patient love shall win.