The Great God of Heaven (EN 2147)

1

The great God of Heaven is come down to earth,

His mother a virgin, and sinless His birth;

The Father eternal His Father alone:

He sleeps in the manger; He reigns on the throne.

Then let us adore Him, and praise His great love:

To save us poor sinners He came from above.

2

A Babe on the breast of a maiden He lies,

Yet sits with the Father on high in the skies;

Before Him their faces the seraphim hide,

While Joseph stands waiting, unscared, by His side.

3

Lo! here is Emmanuel, here is the Child,

The Son that was promised to Mary so mild;

Whose power and dominion shall ever increase,

The Prince that shall rule o’er a kingdom of peace.

4

The Wonderful Counselor, boundless in might,

The Father’s own image, the beam of His light;

Behold Him now wearing the likeness of man,

Weak, helpless, and speechless, in measure a span.

5

O wonder of wonders, which none can unfold:

The Ancient of Days is an hour or two old;

The Maker of all things is made of the earth,

Man is worshipped by angels, and God comes to birth:

6

The word in the bliss of the Godhead remains,

Yet in flesh comes to suffer the keenest of pains;

He is that He was, and forever shall be,

But becomes that He was not, for you and for me.