O Fairest Morning Light, Appear

For Christmas

Words: Inspired by Rev. Thomas Pestell's Psalm for Christmas Day Morning.

Music: Arthur H. Brown

"Lo ! He comes, all grief expelling
From the hearts that Him receive ;
He ta each, with Him a dwelling
In His Father's house will give."

Source: Arthur H. Brown, ed., In Excelsis Gloria-Carols for Christmastide (London: Thomas Bosworth & Co., 1885), Carol #19, pp. 40-41.

1. O fairest morning light, appear;
Thou blest and gaudy day,
On which was born our saviour dear,
Make haste and come away.
This day prevents His day of doom,
His mercy now is nigh;
The mighty God of Love is come,
Thy Dayspring from on high,

Chorus.
Join then, all hearts that are not stone,
And all our voices prove,
To celebrate this Holy One,
The God of Peace and Love.

2. Behold, the great Creator makes
Himself an house of clay ;
A Robe of Virgin-flesh He takes
Which He will wear for aye.
Hark, hark, the wise Eternal Word,
Like a weak Infant cries ;
In form of servant is the Lord,
And God in cradle lies.
Cho. Join then, all hearts that are not stone, &c.

3. 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 quire of Angels sings,
And Eastern sages with delight
Adore this King of Kings.
Cho. Join then, all hearts that are not stone, &c.

Sheet Music from Arthur H. Brown, ed., In Excelsis Gloria-Carols for Christmastide (London: Thomas Bosworth & Co., 1885), Carol #19, pp. 40-41.

Notes:

Mr. Brown added this footnote to the title:

Words from Thomas Pestell's "Sermons Preached at Several Courts to King Charles the First, &c." London, 1660. Thomas Pestell is identified as Chaplain to Charles I. 

Rev. Pestell's Psalm for Christmas Day Morning inspired at least two Christmas carols that were excerpts from the Psalm: Behold The Great Creator Makes (The English Hymnal, #20, and others) and Fairest of Morning Lights, Appear. "Psalm for Christmas Day Morning" first appeared in Pestell's Sermons And Devotions Old And New (1659).

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