1 I cannot tell why he whom angels worship
should come in flesh as prophets long foretold,
or why the Shepherd longs to save the wanderers
and bring them back rejoicing to the fold.
But this I know, that he was born of Mary
when Bethlehem's manger was his only home,
and that he lived at Nazareth and labored,
and so the promised Savior of the world is come.

2 I cannot tell how silently he suffered
as with his peace he graced this place of tears,
or how his heart upon the cross was broken,
the crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, he heals the brokenhearted,
and stays our sin and calms our lurking fear,
and lifts the burden from the heavy-laden,
for still the suffering Savior of the world is here.

3 I cannot tell how he will win the nations,
how he will claim his earthly heritage,
how satisfy the needs and aspirations
of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see his glory,
and he shall reap the harvest he has sown,
and some glad day his sun will shine in splendor,
when he, the risen Savior of the world, is known.

4 I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship
when at his bidding every storm is stilled,
or who can say how great the jubilation
when all our hearts with love for him are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
and countless voices then will join to sing,
and earth to heaven, and heaven to earth will answer:
"At last the living Savior of the world is King!"