Shining Out of Darkness (EN 2175)

1

Shining out of darkness, came the Christmas time,

With light sublime, with light sublime;

Glory-light from Heaven thrilled the sleeping earth,

The holy night of Jesus’ birth.

Memories of that glory seem to linger still—

To linger still, o’er vale and hill;

Stars of Christmas ever seem more bright, more clear,

Than any star throughout the year.

Glory-light came streaming from the court of Heav’n

When Christ—God’s gift to earth—was giv’n;

Shining Christmas tapers, gleam in every clime,

In memory of that Light sublime.

2

Shining o’er the manger where the Christ Child slept,

A star most bright its vigil kept;

Seen afar, all silently it showed the world

The banner fair of love unfurled.

Wondrous star of Bethle’em town, so large, so bright,

O guiding light! O guiding light!

Lead us all to seek the King of kings tonight;

Thou guiding star so bright, so bright!

3

Shepherds on the hillside heard a mighty voice,

A voice that bade the world rejoice;

“Fear not!” rang the message! ring it out again!

The angels brought good news to men.

“Glory in the highest!” hosts of angels sang,

Till all the courts of Heaven rang;

“Glory in the highest!” how it echoes still

That cradle song of Bethle’em’s hill.