Sent From His Heavenly Throne On High

For Christmas and Circumcision

Words: Missum redemptorum polo by C. Coffin, a Lauds Hymn from the Paris Breviary

Translation: W.M.A., 1883.

Source: Orby Shipley, Annus Sanctus: Hymns of the Church for the Ecclesiastical Year. Vol. 1. (London and New York: Burns and Oates, 1884), p. 35.

Sent from his heavenly throne on high, 
Let the whole world beneath the sky 
Adore the Saviour newly come, 
The prince born of the Virgin's womb. 

	He who created heaven and earth 
Is clothed in frame of mortal birth ; 
That flesh by flesh may be set free, 
Nor his own creatures ruined be. 

	The Word which ere time's course began, 
Forth from his Father's bosom ran, 
Obedient now to time and death 
A helpless Infant draws its breath. 

	On straw the Almighty lays his head, 
Nor spurns the manger for his bed ; 
And he who all creation feeds 
The milk of human Mother needs. 

	They guide the starry spheres, those hands 
That now are wrapped in swathing-bands ; 
All weak and weeping there he lies, 
That he may raise us to the skies. 

	Hope of the whole wide earth, that Child, 
Who calls us to his cradle mild, 
How of such love our fitness prove 
Save by return of answering love ? 

	All honour, laud and glory be 
Jesus, Mary's Son, to thee ; 
To Father and to Spirit praise 
Now and through endless length of days. 

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