For Thee, since first the world was made,
Men’s hearts have waited, watched, and prayed;
Prophets and patriarchs, year by year,
Have longed to see Thy Light appear.
“O God,” they prayed, “from Sion rise,
And hear Thy captive people’s cries;
At length, O Lord, salvation bring,
Then Jacob shall rejoice and sing!”
Now Thou, by Whom the world was made,
Art in Thy Manger-cradle laid,