James Montgomery

A Visit to Bethlehem in Spirit.

The scene arround me disappears,

And, borne to ancient regions,

While Time recals the flight of years,

I see angelic legions

Descending in an orb of light,

Amidst the dark and silent night;

I hear celestial voices.

"Tidings, glad tidings from above

To every age and nation;

Tidings, glad tidings, -- God is love,

To man He sends salvation:

His Son beloved, His only Son,

The work of mercy hath begun;

Give to his name the glory."

Through David's city I am led;

Here all around are sleeping;

A light directs to yon poor shed,

There lonely watch is keeping:

I enter; -- ah! what glories shine!

Is this Immanuel's earthly shrine?

Messiah's infant temple?

It is, it is; and I adore

This Stranger meek and lowly,

As saints and seraphs bow before

The throne of God thrice holy:

Faith through the veil of flesh can see

The face of thy Divinity,

My Lord, my God, my Saviour!