'Tis Christmas Eve

1 ’Tis Christmas eve! The setting sun
Makes shadows lengthen on the plain;
The stars come twinkling one by one,
And bring the joyous night again.

2 Unlike Judea’s silent plains
When wearied nature calmly slept,
While shepherds on the hills and glens
Their long and solemn vigils kept.

3 And where along the deep blue arch
A glory shone, and then a throng,
From where the sparkling planets march
Came flying down with joyous song.

4 Unlike the time the wicked king
Sought where the infant Savior lay,
When God forbade his base design,
And bore the precious child away.

5 We joy to know that time is past,
The blessèd Savior’s natal day,
That He’s ascended to His home,
And for His saints prepared the way.

6 Where angels tune their harps of gold
And saints a loftier song shall raise,
While waiting myriads join the strain
In an eternal song of praise.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #12872