Christians, sing out with exultation,
And praise your Benefactor’s Name!
Today the Author of salvation,
The Father’s well belovèd came.
Of undefilèd virgin mother
An Infant, all divine, was born,
And God Himself became your Brother
Upon this happy Christmas morn.

In Him eternal might and power
To human weakness hath inclined;
And this poor Child brings richest dower
Of gifts and graces to mankind.
While here His Majesty disguising,
A servant’s form the Master wears,
Behold the beams of glory rising,
E’en from His poverty and tears.

A stable serves Him for a dwelling,
And for a bed a manger mean;
Yet o’er His head, His advent telling,
A new and wondrous star is seen.
Angels rehearse to men the story,
The joyful story of His birth;
To Him they raise the anthem—“Glory
To God on high, and peace on earth!”

For through this holy Incarnation
The primal curse is done away;
And blessèd peace o’er all creation
Hath shed its pure and gentle ray.
Then, in that heavenly concert joining,
O Christian men, with one accord,
Your voices tunefully combining,
Salute the birthday of your Lord!

Amid the splendors of Thy state,
My God, Thy love appears
With the soft radiance of the moon
Among a thousand stars.

Nature through all her ample round
Thy boundless power proclaims,
And in melodious accent, speaks
The goodness of Thy names.

Thy justice, holiness, and truth,
Our solemn awe excite;
But the sweet charms of sovereign grace
O’erwhelm us with delight.

Sinai, in clouds, and smoke, and fire,
Thunders Thy dreadful Name;
But Sion sings, in melting notes,
The honors of the Lamb.

In all Thy doctrine and commands,
Thy counsels and designs,
In every work Thy hands have framed,
Thy love supremely shines.

Angels and men the news proclaim,
Through earth and Heaven above,
The joyful and transporting news,
That God the Lord is love!

“God is Love!” His word proclaims it,
Day by day the truth we prove;
Heav’n and earth with joy are telling,
Ever telling, “God is Love!”

Refrain

Hallelujah! tell the story,
Sung by angel choirs above;
Sounding forth the mighty chorus—
“God is Light, and God is Love!”

“God is Love!” Oh, tell it gladly,
How the Savior from above
Came to seek and save the lost ones,
Showing thus the Father’s love.

Refrain

“God is Love!” Oh, boundless mercy—
May we all it fullness prove;
Telling those who sit in darkness,
“God is Light, and God is Love!”

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Holy Jesus! God of love!
Look with pity from above!
Shed the precious purple tide,
From Thine hands, Thy feet, Thy side.

Let Thy streams of comfort roll,
Let them please and fill my soul,
Let me thus for ever be,
Full of gladness, full of Thee.

Of the themes that men have known,
One supremely stands alone;
Through the ages it has shown,
’Tis His wonderful, wonderful love.

Refrain

Love is the theme, love is supreme;
Sweeter it grows, glory bestows;
Bright as the sun ever it glows!
Love is the theme, eternal theme!

Let the bells of Heaven ring,
Let the saints their tribute bring,
Let the world true praises sing
For His wonderful, wonderful love.

Refrain

Since the Lord my soul unbound,
I am telling all around
Pardon, peace and joy are found
In His wonderful, wonderful love.

Refrain

As of old when blind and lame
To the blessèd Master came,
Sinners, call upon His Name,
Trust His wonderful, wonderful love.

Refrain

Dear Christian people all, rejoice,
Each soul with joy upraising.
Pour forth a song with heart and voice,
With love and gladness singing.
Give thanks to God, our Lord above,
Thanks for His miracle of love!
Dearly He hath redeemed us.

He spoke to His belovèd Son
With infinite compassion:
“Go hence, my heart’s most precious One,
Be to the lost Salvation;
Death, his relentless tyrant, stay,
And bear him from his sins away
With Thee to live forever!”

The Son came, saying: “Cling to Me,
Thy sorrows now are ending;
Freely I give Myself to thee,
Thy life with Mine defending;
For I am thine and thou art Mine,
And where I am there thou shalt shine,
The foe shall never reach us.”

“To Heaven again I rise from hence,
High to my Father soaring,
The Master there to be, and thence
My Spirit on thee pouring;
In every grief to comfort thee,
And teach thee more and more of Me,
Into all truth still guiding.”

“What I have done and taught on earth,
Do Thou, and teach, none dreading;
That so God’s kingdom may go forth,
And His high praise be spreading;
And guard thee from the words of men,
Lest the great joy be lost again:
This my last charge I leave thee.”

Dear Christians, one and all rejoice,
With exultation springing,
And with united heart and voice
And holy rapture singing,
Proclaim the wonders God hath done,
How his right arm the victory won;
Right dearly it hath cost him.

Fast bound in Satan’s chains I lay,
Death brooded darkly o’er me;
Sin was my torment night and day,
Therein my mother bore me.
Deeper and deeper still I fell,
Life was become a living hell,
So firmly sin possessed me.

My good works could avail me naught,
For they with sin were stained;
Free-will against God’s judgment fought,
And dead to good remained.
Grief drove me to despair, and I
Had nothing left me but to die,
To hell I fast was sinking.

God saw, in his eternal grace,
My sorrow out of measure;
He thought upon his tenderness-
To save was his good pleasure.
He turned to me a Father’s heart-
Not small the cost-to heal my smart
He have his best and dearest.

He spake to His beloved Son:
’Tis time to take compassion;
Then go, bright Jewel of My crown,
And bring to man salvation;
From sin and sorrow set him free,
Slay bitter death for him, that he
May live with Thee forever.

The Son delighted to obey,
And born of virgin mother,
Awhile on this low earth did stay
That He might be my Brother.
His mighty power He hidden bore,
A servant’s form like mine He wore,
To bind the devil captive.

To me He spake: cling fast to Me,
Thou’lt win a triumph worthy;
I wholly give myself for thee;
I strive and wrestle for thee;
For I am thine, thou Mine also;
And where I am thou art. The foe
Shall never more divide us.

For he shall shed My precious blood,
Me of My life bereaving;
All this I suffer for thy good;
Be steadfast and believing.
My life from death the day shall win,
My righteousness shall bear thy sin,
So art thou blest forever.

Now to my Father I depart,
From earth to Heaven ascending;
Thence heavenly wisdom to impart,
The Holy Spirit sending.
He shall in trouble comfort thee,
Teach thee to know and follow me,
And to the truth conduct thee.

What I have done and taught, do thou
To do and teach endeavor;
So shall my kingdom flourish now,
And God be praised forever.
Take heed lest men with base alloy
The heavenly treasure should destroy.
This counsel I bequeath thee.

Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
With exultation springing,
And, with united heart and voice,
And holy rapture singing,
Proclaim the wonders God hath done,
How His right arm the victory won;
Right dearly it hath cost Him.

Fast bound in Satan’s chains I lay,
Death brooded darkly o’er me,
Sin was my torment night and day,
In sin my mother bore me;
Yea, deep and deeper still I fell,
Life had become a living hell,
So firmly sin possessed me.

My own good works availed me naught,
NO merit they attaining;
Free will against God’s judgment fought,
Dead to all good remaining.
My fears increased till sheer despair
Left naught but death to be my share;
The pangs of hell I suffered.

But God beheld my wretched state
Before the world’s foundation,
And, mindful of His mercies great,
He planned my soul’s salvation.
A father’s heart He turned to me,
Sought my redemption fervently:
He gave His dearest Treasure.

He spoke to His belovèd Son:
’Tis time to have compassion.
Then go, bright Jewel of My crown,
And bring to man salvation;
From sin and sorrow set him free,
Slay bitter death for him that he
May live with Thee forever.

The Son obeyed His Father’s will,
Was born of virgin mother,
And God’s good pleasure to fulfill,
He came to be my Brother.
No garb of pomp or power He wore,
A servant’s form, like mine, He bore,
To lead the devil captive.

To me He spake: "Hold fast to Me,
I am thy Rock and Castle;
Thy Ransom I Myself will be,
For thee I strive and wrestle;
For I am with thee, I am thine,
And evermore thou shalt be Mine:
The Foe shall not divide us.

The Foe shall shed my precious blood,
Me of My life bereaving.
All this I suffer for thy good;
Be steadfast and believing.
Life shall from death the victory win,
My innocence shall bear thy sin;
So art Thou blest forever.

Now to my Father I depart,
The Holy Spirit sending
And, heavenly wisdom to impart,
My help to thee extending.
He shall in trouble comfort thee,
Teach thee to know and follow Me,
And in all truth shall guide thee.

What I have done and taught, teach thou,
My ways forsake thou never;
So shall My kingdom flourish now
And God be praised forever.
Take heed lest men with base alloy
The heavenly treasure should destroy;
This counsel I bequeath thee.

Come, ye that know and fear the Lord,
And raise your thoughts above:
Let every heart and voice accord,
To sing that “God is love.”

This precious truth His Word declares,
And all His mercies prove;
Jesus, the gift of gifts, appears,
To show that “God is love.”

Behold His patience, bearing long
With those who from Him rove;
’Till mighty grace their heart subdues,
To teach them—“God is love.”

Oh, may we all, while here below,
This best of blessings prove;
Till warmer hearts, in brighter worlds,
Proclaim that “God is love.”

Songbirds in the woodlands sing it,
Flowers breathe it in the grove,
Bells in tow’r and steeple ring it,—
God is goodness, God is love.

Refrain

Lift your voices, happy, happy voices,
And the sunny hours of life improve;
Praise Him for His countless blessings,—
God is goodness, God is love.

Smiling plains and vales display it,
Breezes tell it as they rove,
Rivers, rills, and brooklets say it,—
God is goodness, God is love.

Refrain

Lakes and seas with joy reveal it,
Suns proclaim it from above,
In our hearts today we feel it,—
God is goodness, God is love.

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Come, let us all unite to sing:
God is love!
Let Heav’n and earth their praises bring,
God is love!
Let every soul from sin awake,
Let every heart sweet music make,
And sing with us for Jesus’ sake:
God is love!

Refrain

God is love! God is love!
Come let us all unite to sing that God is love.

O tell to earth’s remotest bound,
God is love!
In Christ we have redemption found,
God is love!
His blood has washed our sins away,
His Spirit turned our night to day,
And now we can rejoice to say:
God is love!

Refrain

How happy is our portion here,
God is love!
His promises our spirits cheer,
God is love!
He is our sun and shield by day,
Our help, our hope, our strength and stay;
He will be with us all the way;
God is love!

Refrain

In Canaan we will sing again:
God is love!
And this shall be our loudest strain:
God is love!
Whilst endless ages roll along,
We’ll triumph with the heavenly throng
And this shall be our sweetest song:
God is love!

Refrain

God is love, by Him upholden,
Hang the glorious orbs of light,
In their language, glad and golden,
Speaking to us day and night
Their great story,
God is love, and God is light.

Through that precious love He sought us
Wandering from His holy ways;
With that precious life He bought us;
Then let all our future days
Tell this story,
Love is life, our lives be praise.

Gladsome is the theme and glorious,
Praise to Christ our gracious Head;
Christ, the risen Christ, victorious,
Earth and hell hath captive led.
Welcome story!
Love lives on, and death is dead.

Up to Him let each affection
Daily rise and round Him move,
Our whole lives one resurrection
To the life of life above;
Their glad story,
God is life, and God is love.

God is love; His mercy brightens
All the path in which we rove;
Bliss He wakes, and woe He lightens:
God is wisdom, God is love.

Chance and change are busy ever;
Man decays and ages move;
But His mercy waneth never:
God is wisdom, God is love.

E’en the hour that darkest seemeth
Will His changeless goodness prove;
From the mist His brightness streameth:
God is wisdom, God is love.

He with earthly cares entwineth
Hope and comfort from above;
Everywhere His glory shineth:
God is wisdom, God is love.

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and to all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

O Love divine and golden,
Mysterious depth and height,
To Thee the world beholden,
Looks up for life and light;
O Love divine and gentle,
The blesser and the blest,
Beneath Thy care parental
The world lies down in rest.

O Love divine and tender,
That through our homes dost move,
Veiled in the softened splendor
O holy household love,
A throne without Thy blessing
Were labor without rest,
And cottages possessing
Thy blessedness are blest.

God bless these hands united;
God bless these hearts made one!
Unsevered and unblighted
May they through life go on,
Here in earth’s home preparing
For the bright home above,
And there forever sharing
Its joy where “God is Love.”

O Thou Who gavest power to love
That we might fix our hearts on Thee,
Preparing us for joys above
By that which here on earth we see:

Thy Spirit trains our souls to know
The growing purpose of Thy will,
And gives to love the power to show
That purpose growing larger still;

Larger, as love to reverent eyes
Makes manifest another soul,
And shows to life a richer prize,
A clearer course, a nobler goal.

Lord, grant Thy servants who implore
Thy blessing on the hearts they blend,
That from that union evermore
New joys may blossom to the end.

Make what is best in each combine
To purge all earthly dross away,
To strengthen, purify, refine,
To beautify each coming day.

So may they hand in hand advance
Along life’s path from troubles free;
Brave to meet adverse circumstance
Because their love points up to Thee.

See, sinners, in the Gospel glass,
The friend and Savior of mankind!
Not one of all the apostate race
But may in Him salvation find!
His thoughts, and words, and actions prove,
His life and death, that God is love!

Behold the Lamb of God, who bears
The sins of all the world away!
A servant’s form He meekly wears,
He sojourns in a house of clay,
His glory is no longer seen,
But God with God is man with men.

See where the God incarnate stands,
And calls His wandering creatures home,
He all day long spreads out His hands,
“Come, weary souls, to Jesus come!
Ye all may hide you in My breast,
Believe, and I will give you rest.

“Ah! do not of My goodness doubt;
My saving grace for all is free;
I will in no wise cast him out
That comes a sinner unto Me;
I can to none Myself deny,
Why, sinners, will ye perish, why?”

Thou Lord, art love, and everywhere
Thy Name is brightly shown;
Beneath, on earth—Thy footstool fair;
Above, in heaven—Thy throne.

Thy Word is love; in lines of gold
There mercy prints its trace:
In nature we Thy steps behold,
The Gospel shows Thy face.

Thy ways are love; though they transcend
Our feeble range of sight,
They wind through darkness to their end
In everlasting light.

Thy thoughts are love, and Jesus is
The loving voice they find;
His love lights up the vast abyss
Of the Eternal Mind.

Thy chastisements are love; more deep
They stamp the seal divine;
And by a sweet compulsion keep
Our spirits nearer Thine.

Thy heaven is the abode of love!
O blessèd Lord, that we
May there, when time’s dim shades remove,
Be gathered home to Thee!

Then with Thy resting saints to fall
Adoring round Thy throne,
When all shall love Thee, Lord, and all
Shall in Thy love be one.

Through love to light! O wonderful the way
That leads from darkness to the perfect day!
From darkness and from sorrow of the night
To morn that cometh singing o’er the sea.
Through love to light! through light, O God, to Thee,
Who art the love of love, th’eternal light of light!