The Only Son

The only Son from heav'n,
Foretold by ancient seers,
By God the Father given,
In human form appears.
No sphere His light confining
No star so brightly shining
As He, our Morning Star.

O time of God appointed,
O bright and holy morn!
He comes, the king anointed,
The Christ, the Virgin-born,
Grim death to vanquish for us,
To open heav'n before us
And bring us life again.

O Lord, our hearts awaken
To know and love You more,
In faith to stand unshaken,
In spirit to adore,
That we, through this world moving,
Each glimpse of heaven proving,
May reap its fullness there.

O Father, here before You
With God the Holy Ghost
And Jesus, we adore You,
O pride of angel host:
Before You mortals lowly
Cry, "Holy, holy, holy,
O Blessed Trinity!"
--LSB 402

[One of the few hymns by a woman in our traditional hymnody; this was composed by Elisabeth Cruciger. It is appointed for the Second Sunday after Epiphany as the Hymn of the Day.]