1 Thy little ones, dear Lord, are we,
And come Thy lowly bed to see;
Enlighten ev'ry soul and mind,
That we the way to Thee may find.

2 With songs we hasten Thee to greet
And kiss the dust before Thy feet,
O blessed hour, O sweetest night,
That gave Thee birth, our soul's delight.

3 Now welcome! From Thy heav'nly home,
Tho' Thou to grief and tears art come:
Man has on earth for Thee no room
Save stable, manger, cross and tomb.

4 Alas, dear Lord, how can it be
So few bestow a thought on Thee
Or on the love, so wondrous great,
That drew Thee down to our estate?

5 O draw us wholly to Thee, Lord,
Do Thou to us Thy grace afford;
True faith and love to us impart,
That we may hold Thee in our heart.

6 Keep us, howe'er the world may lure,
In our baptismal cov'nant pure;
That ev'ry yearning tho't may be
Directed only, Lord, to Thee.

7 Until at last we too acclaim,
With all Thy saints, Thy glorious name;
In Paradise our songs renew
And praise Thee as the angels do.

8 We gather round Thee, Jesus dear,
So happy in Thy presence here;
O Savior, grant us this alone,
To stand in heaven before Thy throne.