Years ago a child was born;
’Twas a bright ce­les­ti­al morn
When the shep­herds sought the Child,
Guarded by a vir­gin mild,
Cradled on her heart of love,
Watched by an­gels from above.

Wondrous mis­sion had the Child
’Mid the shades of earth be­guiled;
Whispered He of peace and love,
Taught the Fa­ther’s pow­er to move
All things to His ho­ly will,
Bidding dis­cord’s waves be still.

Quietly He walked abroad,
Strewing bless­ings where He trod;
’Mid the haunts of fear and wrong,
Seeing on­ly Truth’s fair form;
Healing, bless­ing all the way,
Thus He went from day to day.

Lingered by the bed of pain,
Raised the dead to life again;
Made all bur­dens roll away,
Cast out de­mons by the way;
Healed the blind in ev­ery throng,
Taught for­giv­eness of all wrong.

Knowing naught of space or time,
Knowing well that life di­vine
Shines in ev­ery hu­man heart;
Still He bore the hu­man part,
Living like the Son of Man,
Loving on­ly as God can.

Suddenly He went away
From the world He loved so well,
Promising to come again,
Evermore with us to dwell.
All who will, be­hold Him now,
All who will, be­fore Him bow.

Jesus Christ has come again,
Saving truth has come to men;
Angels, chant your hymns of praise,
Sons of men, your voic­es raise;
Shout the tid­ings far and near,
Christ, the bless­èd truth, is here.