1 Hail, happy day! when Christ, the Son,
His pilgrimage on earth begun;
This world of ours made his abode,
The dwelling-place of man and God.
2 How happy were the shepherd swains
Who heard the high angelic strains;
And greatly wondering, learnt from them
That Christ was born in Bethlehem.
3 Happy the men, whose heavenward eye
Beheld the star new-lit on high;
And hasted, with unweary feet,
David's immortal son to greet.
4 Oh! happy she, the virgin fair,
Who nursed him with a mother's care;
And, pondering o'er the mystery, press'd
Her son--her Saviour--to her breast.
5 But happier we--himself has shown--
Who see him now by faith alone:
More bless'd are they who keep his word,
Than she who bore and nursed the Lord.
6 Our willing honours then we pay,
To him whose is this festal day;
Before his feet rejoicing fall,
And crown him King and Lord of all.
Source: The Minstrel of Zion: a book of religious songs, accompanied with appropriate music, chiefly original #111
Hunter, William, D.D, son of John Hunter, was born near Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland, May 26, 1811. He removed to America in 1817, and entered Madison College in 1830. For some time he edited the Conference Journal, and the Christian Advocate. In 1855 he was appointed Professor of Hebrew in Alleghany College: and subsequently Minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Alliance, Stark Country, Ohio. He died in 1877. He edited Minstrel of Zion, 1845; Select Melodies, 1851; and Songs of Devotion, 1859. His hymns, over 125 in all, appeared in these works. Some of these have been translated into various Indian languages. The best known are :—
1. A home in heaven; what a joyful thought. Heaven a Home. From his Minstrel of Zion, 1… Go to person page >
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