1 Gloomy night embraced the place
Wherein the noble Infant lay:
The Babe looked up and showed His face;
In spite of darkness, it was day!
It was Thy day, sweet! and did rise
Not from the east, but from Thine eyes.

2 We saw Thee in Thy balmy nest,
Young dawn of our eternal day!
We saw Thine eyes break from the east
And chase the trembling shades away;
We saw Thee, and we blessed the sight;
We saw Thee by Thine own sweet light.

3 Welcome, all wonders in one sight!
Eternity shut in a span!
Summer in winter, day in night!
Heaven on earth, and God in Man!
Great little One! Whose lowly birth,
Lifts earth to Heav’n, stoops Heav’n to earth.

4 To Thee, meek Majesty! soft King
Of simple graces and sweet loves;
Each one of us his lamb will bring,
And each his pair of silver doves;
Till burnt in fire of Thy fair eyes,
Ourselves become our sacrifice!