Where Is The Holy Heaven-born Child

HYMN XVII.

For Christmas

Words:  Charles Wesley, Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord (London: Strahan, 1745).

Source: George Osborn, ed., The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley, Reprinted from the Originals, With the Last Corrections of the Authors. Volume 4. (London: Wesleyan-Methodist Conference Office, 1869), pp. 123-125.

1. Where is the holy heaven-born Child,
     Heir of the everlasting throne,
Who heaven and earth hath reconciled,
     And God and man rejoin'd in one?

2. Shall we of earthly kings inquire,
     To courts or palaces repair?
The nation's Hope, the world's Desire,
     Alas! we cannot find Him there.

3. Shall learning show the Sinner's Friend,
     Or scribes a sight of Christ afford?
Us to His natal place they send,
     But never go to see the Lord.

4 We search the outward church in vain,
     They cannot Him we seek declare,
They have not found the Son of Man,
     Or known the sacred Name they bear.

5. Then let us turn no more aside,
     But use the Light Himself imparts;
His Spirit is our surest guide,
     His Spirit glimmering in our hearts.

6. Drawn by His grace we come from far,
     And fix on heaven our wishful eyes;
That ray Divine, that orient star
     Directs us where the Infant lies.

7. See there! The new-born Saviour see,
     By faith discern the great I AM;
'Tis He! The eternal God! 'Tis He
     That bears the mild Immanuel's name.

8. The Prince of Peace on earth is found,
     The Child is born, the Son is given,
Tell it to all the nations round,
     Jehovah is come down from heaven.

9. Jehovah is come down to raise
     His dying creatures from their fall,
And all may now receive the grace
     Which brings eternal life to all.

10. Lord, we receive the grace, and Thee,
     With joy unspeakable receive,
And rise Thine open face to see,
     And one with God for ever live.

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