The earth’s Creator was on earth, unnoticed or forgot,
The Saviour came unto His own, His own received Him not.
The Gentile world that lay in darkness, they have seen the light,
Wherefore doth Zion turn away on whom it rose so bright!
Oh! thou that bearest joyful tidings, why so mute art thou?
Lift up thy voice, Jerusalem, behold thy Saviour now!
Oh! joy to those who seek Messiah while He may be found;
Again the heavenly harbinger sheds its soft lustre round,
Not on proud tower or stately palace streams the radiance mild,
But where the carpenter’s meek wife bends o’er her blessed Child.