What news, what news this bitter night,
When all is shuttered in the gloom?
No news except a baby born,
Who finds within an ox's stall his narrow room.
What men are these who hurry past?
What wonder do they run to see?
Shepherds who heart the herald song,
Who haste in stable to adore the mystery.
What child is this who, sleeping, makes
The manger throne his resting place?
None but the King of heaven high,
Born into dying to redeem our fallen race!
What shall I bring to honor Him?
What homage pay, what poor gift give?
Naught but your heard which, dead in sin,
Finds in this Child redeeming love---and strength to live!
The poem is by the late Dr. Henry Letterman, longtime professor of English at Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, IL. Dr. Richard Hillert, of the same institution, put this poem to music for Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, IL. It was recorded by the Schola Cantorum of St. Peter's in the Loop in 1992.
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