...we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels...

...we see thee lie; Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by: Yet in they dark streets shineth The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee to-night. For Christ is born of Mary; And gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch...

...heart fill with love for him. She returned her attention to the choir, as they softly sang, ". . . the hopes and fears of all the years ... are met in thee tonight . . ." drawing out the last note. Bridget said a silent prayer for the three of them, a family at last,...

...there is also the idea in play that Paul and his converts are living in the eschatological age when "the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight," to borrow a lyric from a Christmas carol. Paul believes he and his charges are living in the age of...

...we see thee lie; Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. The contrast between these two perspectives on the future, summed up in two quotations from the same...