The stars in the far-off heaven Have long since struck eleven! And hark! from temple and from tower, Soundeth time's grandest midnight hour, Blessed by the Saviour's birth, And night putteth off the sable stole, Symbol of sorrow and sign of dole, For one with many a starry gem, To honor the Babe of Bethlehem, Who comes to men the King of them, Yet comes without robe or diadem, And all turn towards the holy east, To hear the song of the Christmas feast. Four thousand years earth waited, Four thousand years men prayed, Four thousand years the nations sighed, That their King so long delayed. The prophets told His coming, The saintly for Him sighed, And the star of the Babe of Bethlehem Shone o'er them when they died. Their faces towards the future, They longed to hail the light That in the after centuries Would rise on Christmas night. But still the Saviour tarried, Within His father's home And the nations wept and wondered why The promised had not come. At last earth's hope was granted, And God was a child of earth; And a thousand angels chanted The lowly midnight birth. Ah! Bethlehem was grander That hour than Paradise; And the light of earth that night eclipsed The splendors of the skies. Then let us sing the anthem The angels once did sing; Until the music of love and praise, O'er whole wide world will ring. Gloria in excelsis! Sound the thrilling song; In excelsis Deo! Roll the hymn along. Gloria in excelsis! Let the heavens ring; In excelsis Deo! Welcome, new-born King Gloria in excelsis! Over the sea and land, In excelsis Deo! Chant the anthem grand. Gloria in excelsis! Let us all rejoice; In excelsis Deo! Lift each heart and voice. Gloria in excelsis! Swell the hymn on high; In excelsis Deo! Sound it to the sky. Gloria in excelsis! Sing it, sinful earth, In excelsis Deo! For the Saviour's birth. Thus joyfully and victoriously, Glad and ever so gloriously, High as the heavens, wide as the earth, Swelleth the hymn of the Saviour's birth. Lo! the day is waking In the east afar; Dawn is faintly breaking, Sunk in every star. Christmas eve has vanished With its shadows gray; All its griefs are banished By bright Christmas day. Joyful chimes are ringing O'er the land and seas, And there comes glad singing, Borne on every breeze. Little ones so merry Bed-clothes coyly lift, And, in such a hurry, Prattle "Christmas gift!" Little heads so curly, Knowing Christmas laws, Peep out very early For old "Santa Claus". Little eyes are laughing O'er their Christmas toys, Older ones are quaffing Cups of Christmas joys. Hearts are joyous, cheerful, Faces all are gay; None are sad and tearful On bright Christmas day. Hearts are light and bounding, All from care are free; Homes are all resounding With the sounds of glee.