The United Methodist Hymnal

218

It Came upon the Midnight Clear

1.	It came upon the midnight clear, 
	that glorious song of old, 
	from angels bending near the earth 
	to touch their harps of gold: 
	"Peace on the earth, good will to men, 
	from heaven's all-gracious King." 
	The world in solemn stillness lay, 
	to hear the angels sing.

2.	Still through the cloven skies they come 
	with peaceful wings unfurled, 
	and still their heavenly music floats 
	o'er all the weary world; 
	above its sad and lowly plains, 
	they bend on hovering wing, 
	and ever o'er its Babel sounds 
	the blessed angels sing.

3.	And ye, beneath life's crushing load, 
	whose forms are bending low, 
	who toil along the climbing way 
	with painful steps and slow, 
	look now! for glad and golden hours 
	come swiftly on the wing. 
	O rest beside the weary road, 
	and hear the angels sing!

4.	For lo! the days are hastening on, 
	by prophet seen of old, 
	when with the ever-circling years 
	shall come the time foretold 
	when peace shall over all the earth 
	its ancient splendors fling, 
	and the whole world send back the song 
	which now the angels sing.

WORDS: Edmund H. Sears, 1849
MUSIC: Richard Storrs Willis, 1850
Scripture: Luke 2:8-14
Theme: Christ's Gracious Life: Birth and Baptism; Christ's Gracious Life: Birth and Baptism; Christian Year: Christmas; Christian Year: Christmas; Christian Year: Epiphany; Christian Year: Epiphany; Jesus Christ; Peace, World