When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Galatians 4:4–5
Words: John Needham, Hymns Devotional and Moral on Various Subjects (Bristol, England: S. Farley, 1768), number 80.
Music: Brookfield Thomas B. Southgate, 1855 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Needham or Southgate (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
O happy time! Auspicious morn!
When the blest Prince of Peace was born;
Angels in raptures hailed His birth,
Who brought down peace from Heaven to earth.
’Twas when th’appointed years were run,
The God of grace sent forth His Son;
In mortal dress this Prince of light
Conceals a form divinely bright.
Heaven’s equal laws by us defied
Jesus obeyed and patient died;
Our curse He bears upon the tree,
And by His death makes captives free.
The saint’s full bliss, who can relate?
His honors, how divinely great,
Through Christ a son, a royal heir,
What angel can the bliss declare?
Ye men with joyful angels sing,
For unto you was born this King;
In heavenly raptures hail His birth;
Who brought down peace from Heaven to earth.