Oh realm of
light! whose
morning star
To Bethlehem’s
manger led the
way,
Not yet upon
our longing
eyes
Shines the full
splendor of thy
day:
Yet still
across the
centuries fall,
Both strong and
sweet, our
Lord’s command;
And still with
steadfast faith
we cry,
“Behold, the
kingdom is at
hand!”
Oh
realm of
Heav’n! whose
dawn began
With love’s
divine,
incarnate
breath,
Our hearts were
slow to
understand
The lessons of
that life and
death:
Yet though with
stammering
tongues we tell
Redemption’s
story, strange
and sweet,
The world’s
Redeemer,
lifted up
Shall draw the
nations to His
feet.
Oh realm of
peace! whose
music clear
Swept through
Judea’s starlit
skies,
Still the harsh
sounds of human
strife
Break on thy
heavenly
harmonies;
Yet shall thy
song of triumph
ring
In full accord,
from land to
land,
And men with
angels learn to
sing,
“Behold, the
kingdom is at
hand!”
