Scripture Verse



Words: James Ba­den Pow­ell (1842–1931). Ap­peared in Ca­rols Old and Ca­rols New, by Charles L. Hut­chins (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts: Par­ish Choir, 1916), num­ber 686.

Music: From Ma­rot’s French psal­ter, 1647 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Ba­den Pow­ell (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you send us an e-mail?


Night has closed the gates,
Fades away the twilight,
While all nature waits,
Watching for the morn,
When the Christ was born,
Christ the Star of daylight.

Olden prophets spake
Many a word of warning;
From your slumbers wake!
Lo! the heav’ns are riv’n,
For sure a Son is giv’n!

Given with the dawning.

Psalmists sang their song,
Song of loving kindness,
Of the promise long,
Sure, with mercy dight,
Sure in giving light;
Light unto man’s blindness.

Christ, the Light has come,
Christ, true mercy bringing,
Earth is Heaven’s home,
Earth, where angels’ cry,
Praise to God on high,
Through the night is ringing.

Jesu, Mary’s Son!
Born for every nation,
By the grace Thou’st won,
Shed from Heaven’s height,
Mercy, truth and light,
In the end, salvation.