The Manger Throne

Like silver lamps in a distant shrine,     The stars are sparkling bright     The bells of the city of God ring out,     For the Son of Mary is born to-night.     The gloom is past and the morn at last     Is coming with orient light.     Never fell melodies half so sweet     As those which are filling the skies,     And never a palace shone half so fair     As the manger bed where our Saviour lies;     No night in the year is half so dear     As this which has ended our sighs.     Now a new Power has come on the earth,     A match for the armies of Hell:     A Child is born who shall conquer the foe,     And all the spirits of wickedness quell:     For Marys Son is the Mighty One     Whom the prophets of God fortell.     The stars of heaven still shine as at first     They gleamed on this wonderful night;     The bells of the city of God peal out     And the angels song still rings in the height;     And love still turns where the Godhead burns     Hid in flesh from fleshly sight.     Faith sees no longer the stable floor,     The pavement of sapphire is there     The clear light of heaven streams out to the world     And the angels of God are crowding the air,     And heaven and earth, through the spotless birth     Are at peace on this night so fair.