What Means This Glorious Radiance Across Judea's Plain?

Verse 1

What means this glorious radiance across Judea’s plain?
These white-winged angels singing in such exultant strain?

Verse 2

What means this wondrous story the holy angels tell?
Of one who reigned in heaven, and now on earth would dwell?

Verse 3

Why bend these Eastern sages to one of lowly birth?
What means this heavenly message of love and peace on earth?

Verse 4

Ye wanderers in earth’s darkness, on ocean deep and land,
Hail! hail! the joyful tidings, the morning is at hand.