In the darkness o'er Judea In the silence of the night As Bethlehem lay dreaming 'Neath the still and starry skies Holy angels came rejoicing Bright with glory like the dawn And set the heavens singing When the Son of God was born In the darkness o'er Judea Newly kindled o'er the earth A wondrous star was gleaming To proclaim Messiah's birth And as wise men came a-seeking Heaven's light went on before And set their hearts a-singing When the Son of God was born In the shadows of a stable In a manger, sweet with hay The Holy Child lay sleeping E'er the coming of the day And the light of love descending 'Round the cradle of the Lord Set the world a-singing When the Son of God was born