[He] made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:7
Words: From A Christmas Sermon, in Fresh Hearts That Failed Three Thousand Years Ago, by Robert T. S. Lowell (Boston, Massachusetts: Ticknor & Fields, 1860), pages 44–50. Appeared in The Mission Band Hymnal, edited by Emilie S. Coles (Newark, New Jersey: L. J. Hardham, 1879), pages 9–10.
Music: Evening Prayer (Stebbins) George C. Stebbins, 1878 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good photo of Lowell (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
He that lay in lowly manger,
Now is known as Heaven’s king;
What but angels sang, aforetime,
Now have men been taught to sing:
God have glory, in the highest:
Peace on earth, good will towards men:
Over all the tide of ages,
Ever now as it was then.
Lo, He came, the Lord of glory!
Born and cradled in a stall:
Sure He had but scanty welcome,
Seeing He was Lord of all.
Yet, in sooth, He sought no other,
Nor to earth for homage came;
Here He took the form of servant,
Here He bared the cheek to shame.
Not of this world was His kingdom,
He lived not at monarch’s cost;
He sought not the known and honored,
But He came to seek the lost.
Glory, worship, love and service,
To the blessèd One in Three;
As it was in the beginning,
Is, and evermore shall be.