Blessèd night, when first that plain
Echoed with the joyful strain,
“Peace has come to earth again.”
Alleluia!
Blessèd hills, that heard the song,
Of the glorious angel throng
Swelling all your slopes along.
Alleluia!
Happy shepherds, on whose ear
Fell the tidings glad and clear,
“God to man is drawing near.”
Alleluia!
Thus revealed to shepherds’ eyes
Hidden from the great and wise,
Entering earth in lowly guise:
Alleluia!
We adore Thee as our King,
And to Thee our song we sing,
Our best offering to Thee bring,
Alleluia!
Blessèd Babe of Bethlehem,
Owner of earth’s diadem,
Claim and wear the radiant gem
Alleluia!
Horatius Bonar was born this date, 12/19/1808, at Edinburgh, Scotland. He pastored North Presbyterian Church of Kelso. He left the state church in 1843 to serve with the Free Church of Scotland.
Bonar was one of the editors of “The Border Watch,” the official paper of the Free Church, and for many years, because of his keen interest in the second coming of Christ, was editor of “The Journal of Prophecy.” In 1866 he became pastor of Chalmers Memorial Free Church, Edinburgh, named for Thomas Chalmers, the leader/first moderator of the Free Church of Scotland.
Horatius Bonar has been regarded as a eminent hymn writer of Scotland, penning over 600 hymns among which are “I was a wandering sheep” “Glory Be to God the Father” “Here, O My Lord, I See You Face to Face” “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” and “I Lay My Sins on Jesus” He also authored several missionary biographies. Bonar died 7/31/1889, also at Edinburgh, Scotland.
Separate-Holy 
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