maker of the sun and moon

the maker of the sun and moon,
the maker of our earth,
lo! late in time, a fairer boon,
himself is brought to birth!

how blest was all creation then,
when god so gave increase;
and christ, to heal the hearts of men,
brought righteousness and peace!

no star in all the heights of heaven
but burned to see him go;
yet unto earth alone was given
his human form to know.

his human form, by man denied,
took death for human sin:
his endless love, through faith descried,
still lives the world to win.

o perfect love, outpassing sight,
o light beyond our ken,
come down through all the world tonight,
and heal the hearts of men!