This dispensation had its birth
When Christ incarnate came to earth:
Old dates then ceased, and new began,
When He came forth from God to man.

Earth's Maker came from scenes of light
To lift lost man from sin's dark night:
By love impelled He left the throne,
Came down for mortals to atone.

Angelic hosts swept through the sky
Proclaiming Him who came to die;
The shepherds heard the heavenly choir-
Their souls with joy were set on fire.

His star gleamed out across night's zone
To mark His manger-not His throne;
And wise men came from lands afar,
Led by the radiance of that star.

And when they found the peerless One-
The King-elect, God's own dear Son-
They poured their treasures at His feet,
And worshiped Him as it is meet.

His life was brief, but oh how blest!
He came, but not by man's request.
He passed across earth's checkered stage-
A stranger here on pilgrimage.

He left-but by man's murderous hand!
His creatures did His love withstand;
They could not tolerate His grace
Revealed to man's unworthy race!

He lived for God, He died for man-
Fulfilled redemption's glorious plan.
He's gone on high there to abide
Till He returns to claim His bride.

This age shall end when He appears;
He'll change the tide of rolling years;
He shall bring in the age of peace,
Blood-lust shall die, and war shall cease.
Upon His throne, in glory bright,
He'll reign while time wings on her flight ;
And when time's scanty years have passed
He'll reign while endless ages last.

C. C Crowston