Thou fairest Child Divine,

In yonder manger laid,

In whom is God Himself well pleased,

By whom were all things made,

On me art Thou bestow'd;

How can such wonders be!

The dearest that the Father hath

He gives me here in Thee!

I was a foe to God,

I fought in Satan's host,

I trifled all His grace away,

Alas! my soul was lost.

Yet God forgets my sin,

His heart, with pity moved,

He gives me, Heavenly Child, in Thee;

Lo! thus our God hath loved!

Once blind with sin and self,

Along the treacherous way,

That ends in ruin at the last,

I hasten'd far astray;

Then God sent down His Son

For with a love most deep,

Most undeserved, His heart still yearn'd

O'er me, poor wandering sheep!

God with His life of love

To me was far and strange,

My heart clung only to the world

Of sight and sense and change;

In Thee, Immanuel,

Are God and man made one;

In Thee my heart hath peace with God,

And union in the Son.

Oh ponder this, my soul,

Our God hath loved us thus,

That even His only dearest Son

He freely giveth us.

Thou precious gift of God,

The pledge and bond of love,

With thankful heart I kneel to take

This treasure from above.

I kneel beside Thy couch,

I press Thee to my heart,

For Thee I gladly all forsake

And from the creature part:

Thou priceless Pearl! lo, he

By whom Thou'rt loved and known,

Will give himself and all he hath

To win Thee for his own.

Oh come, Thou Blessed Child,

Thou Saviour of my soul,

For ever bound to Thee, my name

Among Thy host enrol.

Oh deign to take my heart,

And let Thy heart be mine,

That all my love flow out to Thee,

And lose itself in Thine.