What Radiance
What radiance lights the desolate scene?
A frightened mother cannot see;
Our sweet saviour and heaven's queen
In squalor face life's misery.
Strange coming home for Caesar's due;
How could it recognise this king?
Ephratha held a different view
Of what the longed-for Christ would bring.
The mother weeps, the baby cries.
The angel's voice, though faint, is clear;
He smiles and she wipes swollen eyes;
And sweetly sings to our Saviour.