To celebrate, as by Jehovah sent,
The long foretold and now fulfilled event—
Our own Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem town!
The Christ of God from heaven to earth come down!
The singing ceased, and all was still again
Save the sweet echo of “Good-will to men”;
The choir had flown; our flocks were all at rest,
And could we, after such a vision blest,
Await the dawning to behold the Stranger
Which cradled lay in Bethlehem’s lowly manger?