'Tis Come, The Time So Oft Foretold Lyrics

1. 'Tis come, the time so oft foretold,
The time eternal love forecast;
Four thousand years of hope have rolled,
And God hath sent His Son at last;
Let heaven, let earth, adore the plan;
Glory to God, and grace to man!

2. To swains that watched their nightly fold,
Of lowly lot, of lowly mind,
To these the tidings first were told,
That told of hope for lost mankind;
God gives His Son; no more He can;
Glory to God, and grace to man!

3. And well to shepherds first 't is known,
The Lord of angels comes from high,
In humblest aspect like their own,
Good Shepherd, for His sheep to die:
O height and depth, which who shall span?
Glory to God, and grace to man!

4. Fain with those meek, those happy swains,
Lord, I would hear that angel choir;
Till, ravished by celestial strains,
My heart responds with holy fire;
(That holy fire Thy breath must fan;)
Glory to God, and grace to man!