HOPE OF THE AGES, song & lyrics by Gloria and Bill Gaither

(1) Before there was time or space
Or any need for grace
There was a Word echoing through the darkness and void...
And then the One who'd be this Word reached out to me
Promising peace, promising hope, promising joy.

(Chorus) Hope of the Ages, Glory to God
The Word became Jesus, Mary's sweet son
Savior Divine (the savior divine)
Promised Messiah (the prophets foretold)
A Virgin gave birth (a baby to hold)
Hope of the Ages, Glory Restored
Jesus is Joy (Peace Hope and Joy)

(2) The times were the worst of times
Violence, war and crime
Threatened the world
Made men afraid, made mothers mourn
And then one dark and lonely night
There came a blinding light
Splitting the Sky, Angels on High
A Child is Born.

[transcribed from the "Christmas-A Time for Joy" album]

I saw this version posted on the YouTube's site (under the video of the song):

Credit to:
Giboy George
4 years ago
Before there was time or space
Or any need for grace
There was word echoing through
The darkness and void
Entered the one who'd be
His word reached out to me
Promising peace, promising hope, promising joy

Chorus
Hope of the Ages (Jesus the hope of the ages)
Born into time (Born in a moment of time)
The word became Jesus, Mary's sweet son
Saviour divine (sweet saviour divine)
Promised messiah (Messiah the prophets foretold)
The virgin's new born (a baby to hold)
Hope of the Ages
Glory restored
Jesus is joy (Peace hope and joy)

The times were the worst of times
Violence and wars and crimes
Threatened the world,
Made men afraid
Made mothers mourn
Then one dark and lonely night
There came a blinding light
Spreading the sky, angels on high
A child was born