I stand before Thy manger fair

Netherlands Bach Society

I stand before Thy manger fair Netherlands Bach Society

1 verse:
I stand before Thy manger fair,
My Jesus, Life from heaven!
I come, and unto Thee I bear
What Thou to me hast given.
Receive it, for 'tis mind and soul,
Heart, spirit, strength-receive it all,
And deign to let it please Thee.

2 verse:
With rapture do I gaze on Thee,
Nor can enough adore Thee,
Pow'r more to do is not in me,
I'll praise and bow before Thee.
Oh that my mind were an abyss,
My soul a sea, wide, bottomless,
That so I might embrace Thee.

3 verse:
Oh, wisdom fails me utterly
For honoring and praising
The eyes this infant fixedly
To mine is ever raising.
The full moon may be clear and fair,
The golden stars most beauteous are,
But these eyes far excel them!

4 verse:
One thing I bid Thee grant to me,
My Savior, ne'er deny me,
That I may evermore have Thee,
Within and on and by me.
And let my heart Thy cradle be,
Come, come and lay Thee down in me,
With all Thy joys and treasures!