A lovely carol that I came across in the old Oxford Book of Carols. If I could sing, and if I could sing over my blog, I’d sing this. The melody is haunting.

Awake were they only, those shepherds so lonely, On guard in that darkness profound.

When colour had faded, when nighttime had shaded their senses from sight and from sound.

Lo, then broke a wonder, then drifted asunder, the veils from the splendour of God.

When light from the Holy came down to the lowly, and heav’n to the earth that they trod.

May light now enfold us, O Lord, for behold us, like shepherds from tumult withdrawn.

Nor hearing nor seeing, all other care fleeing, we wait the ineffable dawn.

O Spirit all-knowing, thou source over-flowing, O move in the darkness around.

That sight may be in us, true hearing to win us, glad tidings where Christ may be found.