Hark, how all the welkin rings, <br />"Glory to the King of kings; <br />Peace on earth, and mercy mild, <br />God and sinners reconcil'd!" <br /> <br />Joyful, all ye nations, rise, <br />Join the triumph of the skies; <br />Universal nature say, <br />"Christ the Lord is born to-day!" <br /> <br />Christ, by highest Heaven ador'd, <br />Christ, the everlasting Lord: <br />Late in time behold him come, <br />Offspring of a virgin's womb! <br /> <br />Veil'd in flesh, the Godhead see, <br />Hail th' incarnate Deity! <br />Pleas'd as man with men to appear, <br />Jesus, our Immanuel here! <br /> <br />Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace, <br />Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! <br />Light and life to all he brings, <br />Risen with healing in his wings. <br /> <br />Mild he lays his glory by, <br />Born that man no more may die; <br />Born to raise the sons of earth; <br />Born to give them second birth. <br /> <br />Come, desire of nations, come, <br />Fix in us thy humble home; <br />Rise, the woman's conquering seed, <br />Bruise in us the serpent's head. <br /> <br />Now display thy saving power, <br />Ruin'd nature now restore; <br />Now in mystic union join <br />Thine to ours, and ours to thine. <br /> <br />Adam's likeness, Lord, efface, <br />Stamp thy image in its place. <br />Second Adam from above, <br />Reinstate us in thy love. <br /> <br />Let us thee, though lost, regain, <br />Thee, the life, the inner man: <br />O, to all thyself impart, <br />Form'd in each believing heart.<br /><br />Charles Wesley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/for-christmas-day/
