1 Once again, O blessed time,
Thankful hearts embrace thee;
If we lost thy festal chime,
What could e'er replace thee?
What could e'er replace thee?
Change will darken many a day,
Many a bond dissever;
Many a joy shall pass away,
But the "Great Joy" never!
But the "Great Joy" never
But the "Great Joy" never!
2 Once again the Holy Night
Breathes its blessing tender;
Once again the Manger Light
Sheds its gentle splendour;
O could tongues by Angels taught
Speak our exultation
In the Virgin's Child that brought
All mankind Salvation!
3 Welcome Thou to souls athirst,
Fount of endless pleasure:
Gates of Hell may do their worst,
While we clasp our Treasure:
Welcome, though an age like this
Puts Thy Name on trial,
And the Truth that makes our bliss
Pleads against denial!
4 Yea, if others stand apart,
We will press the nearer;
Yea, O best fraternal Heart,
We will hold Thee dearer:
Faithful lips shall answer thus
To all faithless scorning,
"Jesus Christ is God with us,
Born on Christmas morning."
5 So we yield thee all we can,
Worship, thanks and blessing;
Thee true God, and Thee true Man.
On our knees confessing;
While Thy Birth-day morn we greet
With our best devotion,
Bathe us, O most true and sweet!
In Thy Mercy's ocean.
Source: Voices of Praise: for school and church and home #334
Bright, William, D.D., born at Doncaster, Dec. 14, 1824, and educated at University College, Oxford, where he graduated B.A. (first class in Lit. Hum.) in 1846, M.A. in 1849. In 1847 he was Johnson's Theological Scholar: and in 1848 he also obtained the Ellerton Theological Essay prize. He was elected Fellow in 1847, and subsequently became Tutor of his College. Taking Holy Orders in 1848, he was for some time Tutor at Trinity College, Glenalmond; but in 1859 he returned to Oxford, and in 1868 became Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Canon of Christ Church. His publications include:—
(1) Ancient Collects, selected from various Rituals, 1857, 2nd ed., 1862; (2) History of the Church from the Edict of Milan to the Council of… Go to person page >
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