She shelters Him, with love and tender awe,

From the bleak darkness of the winter night,

From the rough manger and the bristling straw,

The shepherds at the dazzling Vision stare;

The gentle beasts, at Joseph’s touch, bow down;

And angel choirs in vibrant tones declare

That Christ is born a babe in David’s town!

O Babyhood, the harbinger of hope