O CHRIST of God! whose life and death 
   Our own have reconciled, 
Most quietly, most tenderly 
   Take home thy star-named child! 

Thy grace is in her patient eyes, 
   Thy words are on her tongue; 
The very silence round her seems 
   As if the angels sung. 

Her smile is as a listening child's 
   Who hears its mother's call; 
The lilies of Thy perfect peace 
   About her pillow fall. 

She leans from out our clinging arms 
   To rest herself in Thine; 
Alone to Thee, dear Lord, can we 
   Our well-beloved resign. 

O, less for her than for ourselves 
   We bow our heads and pray; 
Her setting star, like Bethlehem's, 
   To Thee shall point the way!