Behold the Great Creator Makes

Behold the great Creator makes
Himself a house of clay,
A robe of virgin flesh He takes
Which He will wear for ay.

Hark, hark, the wise eternal Word,
Like a weak infant cries!
In form of servant is the Lord,
And God in cradles lies.

This wonder struck the world amazed,
It shook the starry frame;
Squadrons of spirits stood and gazed,
Then down in troops they came.

Glad shepherds ran to view this sight;
A choir of angels sings,
And eastern sages with delight
Adore this King of kings.

Join then, all hearts that are not stone,
And all our voices prove,
To celebrate this holy One
The God of peace and love.

Author: Thomas Pestel

Year: 1630

This Christmas hymn first appeared in Thomas Pestel's 1630 collection 'The Church of England's Thanksgiving for the Peace'. Some hymnals have attributed it to 'P. Skelton' due to a misreading of the original source, but the primary and most accepted attribution is to Thomas Pestel (or Pestell).