Splendid are the heavens high - N. F. S. Grundtvig

Splendid are the heavens high,
Beautiful the radiant sky,
Where the golden stars are shining,
And their rays, to earth inclining,
-: Beckon us to heaven above :-

It was on a Christmas night,
Darkness veiled the starry height;
But at once the heavens hoary
Beamed with radiant light and glory,
-: Coming from a wondrous star :-

When this star so bright and clear
Should illume the midnight drear,
Then, according to tradition,
Should a king of matchless vision
-: Unto earth from heaven descend :-

Sages from the East afar
When they saw this wondrous star,
Went to worship and adore Him
And to lay their gifts before Him
-: Who was born that midnight hour :-

Him they found in Bethlehem
Without crown or diadem,
They but saw a maiden lowly
With an infant pure and holy
-: Resting in her loving arms :-

Guided by the star they found
Him whose praise the ages sound.
We have still a star to guide us
Whose unsullied rays provide us
-: With the light to find our Lord :-

And this star so fair and bright
Which will ever lead aright,
Is God’s word, divine and holy,
Guiding all His children lowly
-: Unto Christ, our Lord and King :-

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N. F. S. Grundtvig [Nikolaj Frederik Severin] (1783 – 1872) Denmark
Translated by J. C. Aaberg
Source: Hymns and Hymnwriters of Denmark by J. C. Aaberg, The Committee on Publication
of the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 1945 [Christian Classics Ethereal Library]