Like silver lamps in a distant shrine,

The stars are sparkling bright

The bells of the city of God ring out,

For the Son of Mary is born to-night.

The gloom is past

And the morn at last

Is coming with orient light.


No earthly songs are half so sweet

As those which are filling the skies,

And never a palace shone half so fair

As the manger-bed where our Saviour lies;

No night in the year

Is half so dear

As this which has ended our sighs.


The stars of heaven still shine as at first

They gleamed on this wonderful night;

The bells of the city of God peal out

And the angels' song still rings in the height,

And love still turns

Where the Godhead burns

Hid in flesh from fleshly sight.


Faith sees no longer the stable floor,

The pavement of sapphire is there

The clear light of heaven streams out to the world

And the angels of God are crowding the air,

And heaven and earth

Through the spotless birth

Are at peace on this night so fair