Like silver lamps - The Manger Throne (Steggall) - Cantate Domino

Like silver lamps in a distant shrine,
  The stars are sparkling bright
The bells of the city of God ring out,
  For the Son of Mary is born to-night.
The gloom is past and the morn at last
  Is coming with orient light.

Never fell melodies half so sweet
  As those which are filling the skies,
And never a palace shone half so fair
  As the manger-bed where our Saviour lies;
No night in the year is half so dear
  As this which has ended our sighs.

Now a new Power has come on the earth,
  A match for the armies of Hell:
A Child is born who shall conquer the foe,
  And all the spirits of wickedness quell:
For Mary’s Son is the Mighty One
  Whom the prophets of God foretell.

The stars of heaven still shine as at first
  They gleamed on this wonderful night;
The bells of the city of God peal out
  And the angels’ song still rings in the height,
And love still turns where the Godhead burns
  Hid in flesh from fleshly sight.

Faith sees no longer the stable floor,
  The pavement of sapphire is there
The clear light of heaven streams out to the world
  And the angels of God are crowding the air,
And heaven and earth through the spotless birth
  Are at peace on this night so fair.