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Night of Wonder

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Dec 22, 1904

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 81, No. 51.

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Night of Wonder

By H. Bonar

Night of wonder, night of glory, Such as time has never seen! Theme of old prophetic story, Night all solemn and serene; Sweetest silence, softest blue, That earth's darkness ever knew!
Night of beauty, hour of gladness, Of all nights the first and best! Not a cloud to speak of sadness, Not a star but sings of rest; Holy midnight, showering peace, Never shall thy radiance cease.
Happy city, dearest, fairest, Lonely, tranquil Bethlehem! Least and lowliest, richest, rarest, David's city, Judah's gem; Out of thee there comes the light That dispelleth all our night.
In thee heaven and earth are meeting! Lo, there comes the angel throng; We give back the heavenly greeting, Joining in the holy song,— Song of festival and mirth,— Song of morning to the earth.
Babe of weakness, Child of grandeur, At Thy stony crib we bow; Not a trace of heavenly splendor, Yet the King of angels Thou! Soon by earth to be adored As creation's Heir and Lord.
Light of life, Thou liest yonder, Mystery of mighty love; Naught from Thee our souls shall sunder, Naught from us shalt Thou remove. Take these hearts, and let them be Throned and cradled both for Thee!
Rose of Sharon, springing sweetly In this sacred solitude, Every gracious leaflet fitly Folded in this tender bud; All the beauty yet concealed, All the fragrance unrevealed.
O'er Thy cradle we are bending, Singing low our song of love, Soon to sing the song unending In the Bethlehem above; Through the ages gazing on, Not the cradle, but the throne. — H. Bonar.