A Hymn of the Nativity - Kenneth Leighton

I couldn’t find this anywhere on YouTube, so I thought I’d add it. It can be taken down upon request. Performed by The City of London Choir. We saw Thee in Thy balmy nest, Young Dawn of our eternal day! We saw Thine eyes break from The East And chase the trembling shades away. We saw Thee; and we blessed the sight, We saw Thee by Thine own sweet light. I saw the obsequious seraphims Their rosy fleece of fire bestow. For well they now can spare their wings, Since heaven itself lies here below. Well done, said I: but are you sure Your down, so warm, will pass for pure? No, no, your King’s not yet to seek Where to repose His royal head. See, see, how soon His new bloomed cheek Twixt mother’s breasts is gone to bed. Sweet choice, said we! no way but so: Not to lie cold, yet sleep in snow. Welcome, to our wond’ring sight! Eternity shut in a span. Summer in winter, day in night, Heaven in earth, and God in man. Great little One! Whose glorious birth Lifts earth to heaven, stoops heaven to earth. To Thee, meek Majesty! soft King Of simple graces and sweet loves. Each of us his lamb will bring, Each his pair of silver doves; Till burnt at last in fire of Thy fair eyes, Ourselves become our own best sacrifice.