In the Darkness Shines the Light

 

A Christmas Hymn

77 77 77 

Tune: Dix

 

1 In the darkness shines the Light,

Which no shadows overcame;

Flesh and blood had failed the fight

Till God put on flesh His name –

For a Child is born for us,

Christ, the Lord our Righteousness.

 

2 He who spoke and all was made

Sleeps where humble creatures fed;

In a lowly manger laid

By a Virgin, as He said.

If He so would choose to live,

What will He to you not give? 

 

3 See from Heaven’s stars appear

What God promised Abraham;

Jacob’s star proclaims Him here –

Shepherds need not bring a lamb;

God provides the spotless One –

Woman’s Seed and God’s own Son.

 

4 All is here that man has lost,

Wrapped in dust from which we came;

All the woe our sinning cost

God is Man as His to claim;

He, who spoke with Sinai’s awe,

Takes our place beneath the Law.

 

5 There is not so dark a sin

Which this Light will not reveal

Not on you, but now on Him,

With His wounds your wounds to heal;

Born to die to take away

All that makes the sinner stray.

 

6 Satan, would you now accuse?

See my Flesh and Blood above;

What with lies you made me lose,

Now is lifted up by love

To the Father’s highest throne

In the flesh God loves to own.

 

7 Come, my heart, by earth weighed down;

In the manger is your rest.

Here in hay is heaven’s crown;

All who trust in Him are blest.

Heaven here God’s glory sees

And for men goodwill and peace.

 

8 Though the flow’r of flesh may wilt,

Here my heart in faith will bloom;

God is flesh to take my guilt,

And to leave a garden’s tomb,

Giving me for death’s decay

Life that will not fade away. 

 

9 Jesus, from Your manger speak

Peace the world could never give;

With Your Light my darkness break;

Meek You are, meek make me live

Till I see Your glory shine

In the mansions You make mine.   

            12/18/18