1 WHEN came in flesh the incarnate Word,
The heedless world slept on,
And only simple shepherds heard
That God had sent his Son.
2 When comes the Saviour at the last,
From east to west shall shine
The judgement light, and earth aghast
Shall tremble at the sign.
3 Then shall the pure of heart be blest,
As mild he comes to them,
As when upon the Virgin’s breast
He lay at Bethlehem:
4 As mild to meek-eyed love and faith,
Only more strong to save;
Strengthened by having bowed to death,
By having burst the grave.
5 Lord, who could dare see thee descend
In state, unless he knew
Thou art the sorrowing sinner’s friend,
The gracious and the true?
6 Dwell in our hearts, O Saviour blest;
So shall thine advent’s dawn
’Twixt us and thee, our bosom-guest,
Be but the veil withdrawn.
Source: The New English Hymnal #17
First Line: | When came in flesh the Incarnate Word |
Author: | Joseph Anstice |
Language: | English |
Copyright: | Public Domain |
When came in flesh the Incarnate Word. J. Anstice. Christmas.] Published in his posthumous Hymns, 1836, p. 17, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines. It is given in Hymns for the Use of the University of Oxford in St. Mary's Church, 1872, and several other modern collections in Great Britain and America.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)