Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Let all mortal flesh keep silence

And with fear and trembling stand

Ponder nothing earthly minded

For with blessing in His hand

Christ our God to earth descendeth

Our full homage to demand.

King of kings yet born of Mary

As of old on earth He stood

Lord of lords in human vesture

In the body and the blood

He will give to all the faithful

His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven

Spreads its vanguard on the way

As the Light of light descendeth

From the realms of endless day,

That the pow'rs of hell may vanish

As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six-winged seraph

Cherubim with sleepless eye

Veil their faces to the presence

As with ceaseless voice they cry

Alleluia, Alleluia,

Alleluia Lord Most High

From the Liturgy of St. James (2nd Century)

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Here is one of my favorite Christmas Songs. I heard for the first time two years ago. It is from the Liturgy of St. James. And of course its impact is much greater when sung, as opposed to read.

Let all mortal flesh keep silence
And with fear and trembling stand
Ponder nothing earthly minded
For with blessing in His hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth
Our full homage to demand.

King of Kings yet born of Mary
As of old on earth He stood
Lord of Lords in human vesture
In the body and the blood
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heav'nly food

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the Darkness clears away

At His feet the six winged seraph
Cherubim with sleepless eye
Veil their faces to the presence
As with ceaseless voice they cry
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High.