288 O Savior, who in love didst take

1 O Savior, who in love didst take A human body, for our sake; To share with us the griefs of life, Its watchings, weariness, and strife: All that belong to man but sin, Thou didst this day Thyself begin. 2 Savior of infants, Thou didst rest, Helpless, upon Thy mother's breast; Savior of children, Thou didst play, And grow beside her, day by day; All human life to soothe and save, Up from the cradle to the grave. 3 Savior, as low as Thou didst bend From heaven to be the sinner's friend, So high our nature lift with Thine, Till human rights become divine, And Thy eternal love once more God's image to the soul restore. 4 And when we cling too close to earth, Forgetful of our heavenly birth, And for the love of its poor dross, Despise Thy crown or shun Thy cross, O let this festal day reprove Such wrong to Thine incarnate love.