A Visit to Bethlehem in Spirit

The scene arround me disappears,
And, borne to ancient regions,
While Time recals the flight of years,
I see angelic legions
Descending in an orb of light,
Amidst the dark and silent night;
I hear celestial voices.

"Tidings, glad tidings from above
To every age and nation;
Tidings, glad tidings,--God is love,
To man He sends salvation:
His Son beloved, His only Son,
The work of mercy hath begun;
Give to his name the glory."

Through David's city I am led;
Here all around are sleeping;
A light directs to yon poor shed,
There lonely watch is keeping:
I enter;--ah! what glories shine!
Is this Immanuel's earthly shrine?
Messiah's infant temple?

It is, it is; and I adore
This Stranger meek and lowly,
As saints and seraphs bow before
The throne of God thrice holy:
Faith through the veil of flesh can see
The face of thy Divinity,
My Lord, my God, my Saviour!