O Day Full of Grace

A Scandinavian Folk Hymn For Christmas

Translation: Christoph E. F. Weyse (1826)

O day full of grace, which we behold,
Now gently to view ascending;
Thou over the earth thy reign unfold,
Good cheer to all mortals lending,
That children of light in ev’ry clime
May prove that the night is ending.

How blest was that gracious midnight hour,
When God in our flesh was given;
Then flushed the dawn with light and pow’r,
That spread o’er the darkened heaven;
Then rose o’er the world that sun divine
Which gloom from our hearts hath driven.

Yea, were ev’ry tree endowed with speech,
And ev’ry leaflet singing,
They never with praise God’s worth could reach,
Though earth with their praise be ringing.
Who fully could praise the light of life,
Who light to our souls is bringing,
Who fully could praise the Lord!
With joy we depart for the promised land,
And there we shall walk in endless light.