Scripture Verse

[He] took upon Him the form of a servant, and as made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7

Introduction

Words: Tho­mas Pes­tel (1584–1659), in Ser­mons and De­vo­tions Old and New, as stan­zas 5–9 of A Psalm for Christ­mas Day Morn­ing (star­ting Fair­est of morn­ing lights ap­pear).

Music: This En­dris Nyght 15th Cen­tu­ry (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Pes­tel (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Behold the great Cre­at­or makes
Himself a house of clay,
A robe of vir­gin flesh He takes
Which He will wear for ay.

Hark, hark, the wise eter­nal word,
Like a weak in­fant cries!
In form of ser­vant is the Lord,
And God in cra­dle lies.

This won­der struck the world am­azed,
It shook the star­ry frame;
Squadrons of spir­its stood and gazed,
Then down in troops they came.

Glad shep­herds ran to view this sight;
A choir of an­gels sings,
And east­ern sag­es with de­light
Adore this King of kings.

Join then, all hearts that are not stone,
And all our voic­es prove,
To ce­le­brate this ho­ly One
The God of peace and love.