Thou stoopest once to suffer here,
and risest o'er the starry sphere
Hell's gates at Thy descent were riven,
thy ascent is to highest Heaven.
One with the Father! Prince of might!
O'er Nature's realm assert Thy right.
Our sickly bodies pine to know
Thy heavenly strength, Thy living glow.
How bright Thy lowly manger beams!
Down earth's dark vale its glory streams,
The splendour of Thy natal night
Shines through all Time in deathless light.