We may not climb the heavenly steeps
To bring the Lord Christ down;
In vain we search the lowest deeps,
For Him no depths can drown.

But warm, sweet, tender, even yet
A present help is He;
And faith has still its Olivet,
And love its Galilee.

The healing of the seamless dress
Is by our beds of pain;
We touch Him in life’s throng and press,
And we are whole again.

Through Him the first fond prayers are said
Our lips of childhood frame;
The last low whispers of our dead
Are burdened with His Name.

O Lord and Master of us all,
Whate’er our name or sign,
We own Thy sway, we hear Thy call,
We test our lives by Thine!

As when the Hebrew prophet raised
[originally So did the Hebrew prophet raise]
The brazen serpent high,
The wounded looked and straight were cured,
The people ceased to die.

So from the Savior on the cross
A healing virtue flows;
Who looks to Him with lively faith
Is saved from endless woes.

For God gave up His Son to death,
So generous was His love,
That all the faithful might enjoy
Eternal life above.

Not to condemn the sons of men
The Son of God appeared;
No weapons in His hand are seen,
Nor voice of terror heard.

He came to raise our fallen state,
And our lost hopes restore;
Faith leads us to the mercy seat,
And bids us fear no more.

Watts’ original version:

So did the Hebrew prophet raise
The brazen serpent high,
The wounded felt immediate ease,
The camp forbore to die.

“Look upward in the dying hour,
And live,” the prophet cries;
But Christ performs a nobler cure,
When Faith lifts up her eyes.

High on the cross the Savior hung,
High in the heav’ns he reigns:
Here sinners by th’ old serpent stung
Look, and forget their pains.

When God’s own Son is lifted up,
A dying world revives;
The Jew beholds the glorious hope,
Th’expiring Gentile lives.

Almighty God, whose only Son
O’er sin and death the triumph won,
And ever lives to intercede
For souls who Thy sweet mercy need;

In His dear Name to Thee we pray
For all who err and go astray,
For sinners, wheresoe’er they be,
Who do not serve and honor Thee.

There are who never yet have heard
The tidings of Thy blessèd Word,
But still in heathen darkness dwell,
Without one thought of Heav’n or hell.

And some within Thy sacred fold
To holy things are dead and cold,
And waste the precious hours of life
In selfish ease, or toil, or strife;

And many a quickened soul within
There lurks the secret love of sin,
A wayward will, or anxious fears,
Or lingering taint of bygone years.

O give repentance true and deep
To all Thy lost and wandering sheep,
And kindle in their hearts the fire
Of holy love and pure desire.

That so from angel hosts above
May rise a sweeter song of love,
And we, with all the blest, adore
Thy Name, O God, for evermore.

And didst Thou love the race that loved not Thee?
And didst Thou take to Heaven a human brow?
Dost plead with man’s voice by the marvelous sea?
Art Thou his Kinsman now?

O God, O Kinsman loved, but not enough,
O Man, with eyes majestic after death,
Whose feet have toiled along our pathways rough,
Whose lips drawn human breath!

By that one likeness which is ours and Thine,
By that one nature which doth hold us kin,
By that high Heaven where, sinless, Thou dost shine
To draw us sinners in;

By Thy last silence in the judgment hall,
By long foreknowledge of the deadly tree,
By darkness, by the wormwood and the gall,
I pray Thee visit me.

Come, lest this heart should, cold and cast away,
Die ere the Guest adored she entertain—
Lest eyes which never saw Thine earthly day
Should miss Thy heavenly reign.

Father, God, we glorify
Thy love to Adam’s seed;
Love that gave Thy Son to die,
And raised Him from the dead:
Him, for our offenses slain,
That we all might pardon find,
Thou hast brought to life again,
The Savior of mankind.

By Thy own right hand of power
Thou hast exalted Him,
Sent the mighty Conqueror
Thy people to redeem:
King of Saints, and Prince of Peace,
Him Thou hast for sinners giv’n,
Sinners from their sins to bless,
And lift them up to Heav’n.

Father, God, to us impart
The gift unspeakable;
Now in every waiting heart
Thy glorious Son reveal:
Quickened with our living Lord,
Let us in Thy Spirit rise,
Rise to all Thy life restored,
And bless Thee in the skies.

A story sweet and wondrous,
Like heav’nly music swells;
In chimings clear to all who will hear,
Ring out the Gospel bells.

For God so loved the world
That He gave His only begotten Son,
That whosoever believeth in Him,
Whosoever believeth in Him
Should not perish,
Should not perish,
But have everlasting life.

When, grieving, brokenhearted,
Because of sin and shame,
We find a joy earth cannot destroy,
Believing on His Name.

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This love beyond all measure
Of earth or sea or sky,
Could only show its full overflow,
When Jesus came to die.

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Come, brother, come to Jesus;
His Word was meant for you;
His grace receive, His promise believe,
And sing His praise anew.

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God gave His Son for me, O wondrous love!
From sin to set me free, O wondrous love!
A guilty rebel I, bound and condemned to die,
He did not pass me by, O wondrous love!
A guilty rebel I, bound and condemned to die,
He did not pass me by, O wondrous love!

There, there at God’s right hand, O wondrous love!
I see my Savior stand, O wondrous love!
He makes my nature pure, in Him I am secure;
Whatever I endure; O wondrous love!
He makes my nature pure, in Him I am secure;
Whatever I endure; O wondrous love!

He’ll give me needful grace, O wondrous love!
Soon I shall see His face, O wondrous love!
Join those who’ve gone before, sorrow and pain all o’er,
Heav’n, Heaven, forevermore! O wondrous love!
Join those who’ve gone before, sorrow and pain all o’er,
Heav’n, Heaven, forevermore! O wondrous love!

God loved the world of sinners lost,
And ruined by the fall;
Salvation full, at highest cost,
He offers free to all.

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O ’twas love, ’twas wondrous love,
The love of God to me;
It brought my Savior from above,
To die on Calvary!

E’en now by faith I claim Him mine,
The risen Son of God;
Redemption by His death I find,
And cleansing through the blood.

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Love brings the glorious fullness in,
And to His saints makes known
The blessèd rest from inbred sin,
Through faith in Christ alone.

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Believing souls, rejoicing go;
There shall to you be giv’n
A glorious foretaste, here below,
Of endless life in Heav’n.

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Of victory now o’er Satan’s power
Let all the ransomed sing,
And triumph in the dying hour
Through Christ, the Lord, our King.

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God loved the world so that He gave
His only Son the lost to save
That all who would in Him believe
Should everlasting life receive.

Christ Jesus is the Ground of faith,
Who was made flesh and suffered death;
All that confide in Him alone
Are built on this chief Cornerstone.

God would not have the sinner die,
His Son with saving grace is nigh,
His Spirit in the Word doth teach
How man the blessèd goal may reach.

Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son
Forgives all sins which thou hast done,
And, justified by Jesus’ blood,
Thy baptism grants the highest good.

If thou be sick, if death draw near
This truth thy troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus saves my soul from death;
That is the firmest ground of faith.

Glory to God the Father, Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One!
To Thee, O blessèd Trinity,
Be praise now and eternally!

God loved the world so tenderly
His only Son He gave,
That all who on His Name believe
Its wondrous power will save.

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For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son,
That whosoever believeth in Him
Should not perish, should not perish;
That whosoever believeth in Him
Should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Oh, love that only God can feel,
And only He can show!
Its height and depth,
Its length and breadth
Nor Heav’n nor earth can know!

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Why perish, then, ye ransomed ones?
Why slight the gracious call?
Why turn from Him Whose words proclaim
Eternal life to all?

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O Savior, melt these hearts of ours,
And teach us to believe
That whosoever comes to Thee
Shall endless life receive.

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God’s love is as high as the heavens,
God’s love is as deep as the sea,
God’s love is for all kind of sinners,
God’s love is sufficient for me.

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God’s love, God’s love,
God’s love is sufficient for me, for me,
God’s love, God’s love,
God’s love is sufficient for me.

God’s love is as wide as creation,
God’s love is as boundless and free,
God’s love, it has brought my salvation,
God’s love is sufficient for me.

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God’s love brought His Son down from Heaven,
God’s love let Him die on the tree;
God’s love, it can never be measured,
God’s love is sufficient for me.

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Good Christian men, rejoice with heart and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say: News! News! Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before Him bow; and He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss: Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened the heavenly door, and man is blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave: Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all, to gain His everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

The Gospel bells are ringing,
Over land, from sea to sea:
Blessèd news of free salvation
Do they offer you and me.
“For God so loved the world
That His only Son He gave;
Whosoe’er believeth in Him
Everlasting life shall have.”

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Gospel bells, how they ring;
Over land from sea to sea;
Gospel bells freely bring
Blessèd news to you and me.

The Gospel bells invite us
To a feast prepared for all;
Do not slight the invitation,
Nor reject the gracious call.
“I am the Bread of life;
Eat of Me, thou hungry soul;
Tho’ your sins be red as crimson,
They shall be as white as wool.”

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The Gospel bells give warning,
As they sound from day to day,
Of the fate which doth await them
Who forever will delay.
“Escape ye, for thy life;
Tarry not in all the plain,
Nor behind thee look, oh, never,
Lest thou be consumed in pain.”

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The Gospel bells are joyful,
As they echo far and wide,
Bearing notes of perfect pardon,
Thro’ a Savior crucified.
“Good tidings of great joy
To all people do I bring,
Unto you is born a Savior,
Which is Christ the Lord and King.”

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Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

Let me all Thy love accepting,
Love Thee, ever all my days;
Let me seek Thy kingdom only
And my life be to Thy praise;
Thou alone shalt be my glory,
Nothing in the world I see.
Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,
Thou Thyself hast set me free.

In Thy truth Thou dost direct me
By Thy Spirit through Thy Word;
And Thy grace my need is meeting,
As I trust in Thee, my Lord.
Of Thy fullness Thou art pouring
Thy great love and power on me,
Without measure, full and boundless,
Drawing out my heart to Thee.

Oh! the love that gave my Lord to die on Calvary!
Matchless love untold, purer far than gold;
Love that offered all upon the cross to set me free,
This is the love of Christ for me.

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Precious love, oh, wondrous love divine—
Can it be this matchless love is mine?
Yes! its power thrills me, and its glory fills me;
Praise His Name, I know His love is mine.

Oh! the love that sought me when I wandered far away!
Bidding me come in from the paths of sin;
Pleading with me gently every hour, every day,
Such was the love of Christ for me.

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Oh! the love that opened wide the gates of God on high!
For His ransomed own, ’round the heav’nly throne;
Love divine, I’ll understand it fully bye and bye,
Oh! wondrous love of Christ for me.

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’Tis a sweet and glorious tho’t that comes to me,
I’ll live on, yes, I’ll live on;
Jesus saved my soul from death, and now I’m free,
I’ll live on, yes, I’ll live on.

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I’ll live on, yes, I’ll live on.
Thru eternity I’ll live on;
I’ll live on, yes, I’ll live on,
Thru eternity I’ll live on.

When my body’s slumb’ring in the cold, cold clay,
I’ll live on, yes, I’ll live on;
There to sleep in Jesus till the judgment day,
I’ll live on, yes, I’ll live on.

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When the world’s on fire and darkness veils the sun,
I’ll live on, yes, I’ll live on;
Men will cry and to the rocks and mountains run,
I’ll live on, yes, I’ll live on.

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In the glory-land, with Jesus on the throne,
I’ll live on, yes, I’ll live on;
Thru eternal ages singing, home, sweet home,
I’ll live on, yes, I’ll live on.

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O what am I, that I should be
The object of God’s wondrous grace,
That He should send His Son to me,
That I might see Him face to face?

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It was for me, it was for me;
For me He left His throne above;
His grace, His goodness all for me,
For me, the ocean of His love.

That He should give His Son for me,
A sacrifice of love divine;
Of love as boundless as the sea,
That I might call the Savior mine.

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O wondrous love, that He should leave
His throne and come to earth for me;
Should give His life my soul to save,
The ransom pay, that sets me free.

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A life of service, death of shame,
Ensample true for all—for me—
O shall I not adore His Name,
Through time and through eternity!

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Jesu, the Father’s only Son,
Whose death for all redemption won;
Before the worlds of God most high
Begotten all ineffably.

The Father’s light and splendor Thou,
Their endless hope to Thee that bow;
Accept the prayers and praise today
That through the world Thy servants pray.

Salvation’s Author, call to mind
How, taking form of humankind,
Born of a virgin undefiled,
Thou in man’s flesh becam’st a child.

Thus testifies the present day,
Through every year in long array,
That Thou, salvation’s source alone,
Proceedest from the Father’s throne.

Whence sky, and stars, and sea’s abyss,
And earth, and all that therein is,
Shall still, with laud and carol meet,
The Author of Thine advent greet.

And we who, by Thy precious blood
From sin redeemed, are marked for God,
On this the day that saw Thy birth,
Sing the new song of ransomed earth.

For that Thine advent glory be,
O Jesu, virgin born, to Thee;
With Father, and with Holy Ghost,
From men and from the heavenly host.

Do you know Jesus,
Our Lord, our Savior,
Jesus the Son of God?
Have you ever seen Him,
Or shared of His favor?
Jesus the Son of God.

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O sweet Wonder!
O sweet Wonder!
Jesus the Son of God;
How I adore Thee!
O how I love Thee!
Jesus the Son of God.

God gave Him, a ransom,
Our souls to recover;
Jesus the Son of God.
His blood made us worthy
His Spirit to hover;
Jesus the Son of God.

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O who would reject Him,
Despise or forsake Him,
Jesus the Son of God?
O who ever sought Him,
And He would not take Him?
Jesus the Son of God.

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If you will accept Him
And trust and believe Him,
Jesus the Son of God,
Your soul will exalt Him,
And never will leave Him;
Jesus the Son of God.

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Then some day from heaven,
On clouds of bright glory,
Jesus the Son of God
Will come for His jewels,
Most precious and holy,
Jesus the Son of God.

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O holy Father, who in tender love
Didst give Thine only Son for us to die,
The while He pleads at Thy right hand above,
We in one Spirit now with faith draw nigh,
And, as we eat this bread and drink this wine,
Plead His once offered sacrifice divine.

We are not worthy to be called Thy sons,
Nor gather up the fragments of Thy feast;
Yet look on us, Thy sorrowing contrite ones,
On us in Him our Advocate and Priest,
Whose robe is fringed with mercy’s golden bells,
Whose breastplate fathomless compassion tells.

O hear us, for Thou always hearest Him;
Behold us sprinkled with His precious blood;
And from between the shadowing cherubim
Shine forth, and grant us in this heavenly food
Foretastes of coming glory, and meanwhile
A Father’s blessing and a Father’s smile.

Nor only, Father, in Thy presence here
Low at Thy footstool for ourselves we pray,
But for the loved ones to our hearts most near
At home or toiling in far lands away;
O guard them, guide them, comfort and befriend,
And keep them Thine unfaltering to the end.

And, Father, ere we leave Thy mercy-throne,
Bound by these sacred pledges, yet most free,
We give our hearts, and not our hearts alone,
But all we are and all we have to Thee;
Glad free-will offerings all our pilgrim days,
Hereafter an eternity of praise.

O wonder amazing! At earth’s midnight hour
The ages are gazing in awe at its power;
The great secret telling, how anguish is stilled,
The evil dispelling: The Word is fulfilled.

O hearts that have carried your sorrows untold,
The Helper that tarried come here and behold!
What prophets have spoken the trial ensures,
By tortures unbroken ’tis love that endures.

O love, ceasing never, from thee what can part?
What height or depth sever from thy bleeding heart?
Now opens the portal, O blest Jesu mine!
Of mansions immortal, of mercy divine.

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds were framèd; He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun, evermore and evermore!

He is found in human fashion, death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam’s children doomed by law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below, evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessèd, when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!

This is He Whom seers in old time chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long expected,
Let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!

Righteous judge of souls departed, righteous King of them that live,
On the Father’s throne exalted none in might with Thee may strive;
Who at last in vengeance coming
Sinners from Thy face shalt drive, evermore and evermore!

Thee let old men, thee let young men, thee let boys in chorus sing;
Matrons, virgins, little maidens, with glad voices answering:
Let their guileless songs re-echo,
And the heart its music bring, evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory, evermore and evermore!

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me;
I tremble to know that for me He was crucified—
That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled, and died.

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Oh, it is wonderful that He should care for me!
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

I marvel that He would descend from His throne divine,
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine;
That He should extend His great love unto such as I;
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

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I think of His hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no! I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at His feet.

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The only Son from Heaven,
Foretold by ancient seers,
By God, the Father, given,
In human shape appears;
No sphere His light confining,
No star so brightly shining
As He, our Morning Star.

O time of God appointed,
O bright and holy morn!
He comes, the King anointed,
The Christ, the virgin born;
His home on earth He maketh,
And man of Heaven partaketh,
Of life again an heir.

O Lord, our hearts awaken
To know and love Thee more,
In faith to stand unshaken,
In spirit to adore,
That we still heavenward hasting,
Yet here Thy joy foretasting,
May reap its fullness there.

I have heard of a Savior’s love,
And a wonderful love it must be;
But did He come down from above,
Out of love and compassion for me, for me,
Out of love and compassion for me?

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Yes, yes, yes for me, for me,
Yes, yes, yes for me;
Our Lord from above in His infinite love,
On the cross died to save you and me.

I have heard that He suffered, bled,
That He languished and died on the tree;
But then is it anywhere said,
That He languished and suffered for me, for me,
That He languished and suffered for me!

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I’ve been told of a Heav’n on high,
Which the children of Jesus shall see;
But is there a place in the sky
Made ready and furnished for me, for me,
Made ready and furnished for me?

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O Lord, answer these questions, please,
To whom shall I go but to Thee?
And say by Thy Spirit divine,
There’s a Savior and Heaven for me, for me,
There’s a Savior and Heaven for me.

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Thou fairest Child divine,
In yonder manger laid,
In Whom is God Himself well pleased,
By Whom all things were made,
On me art Thou bestowed,
How can such wonders be!
The dearest that the Father hath
He gives me here in Thee!

I was a foe to God,
I fought in Satan’s host,
I trifled all His grace away,
Alas! my soul was lost.
Yet God forgives my sin,
His heart, with pity moved,
He gives me, heavenly Child, in Thee;
Lo! thus our God hath loved!

Once blind with sin and self,
Along the treacherous way,
That ends in ruin at the last,
I hastened far astray;
Then God sent down His Son,
For with a love most deep,
Most undeserved, His heart still yearned
O’er me, poor wandering sheep!

God with His life of love
To me was far and strange,
My heart clung only to the world
Of sight and sense and change;
In Thee, Immanuel,
Are God and man made one;
In Thee my heart hath peace with God,
And union in the Son.

Oh ponder this, my soul,
Our God hath loved us thus,
That e’en His only dearest Son
He freely giveth us.
Thou precious gift of God,
The pledge and bond of love,
With thankful heart I kneel to take
This treasure from above.

I kneel beside Thy couch,
I press Thee to my heart,
For Thee I gladly all forsake
And from the creature part;
Thou priceless Pearl! lo, He
By whom Thou’rt loved and known,
Will give Himself and all He hath
To win Thee for His own.

Oh, come, Thou blessèd Child,
Thou Savior of my soul,
For ever bound to Thee, my name
Among Thy host enroll.
O deign to take my heart,
And let Thy heart be mine,
That all my love flow out to Thee,
And lose itself in mine.

The bells are sweetly chiming,
Their music fills the air;
What message do they bring us
Upon this morning fair?
“’Tis Christmas day!” the glad bells say,

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“A Savior now is born,
By God’s great love sent from above
To cheer the world forlorn.”
O wondrous birth! let all the earth
Receive the newborn King;
Oh, let us now with sacred vow
Our loyal tribute bring.

What mean these gifts abundant
That on this day we see?
For surely they mean something;
What may their import be?
“’Tis Christmas day!” these tokens say,

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And why these smiling faces
Around the pretty tree?
What mean these joyous carols?
Pray tell us if you please.
“’Tis Christmas day!” these things all say,

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Why do you wait, dear brother,
Oh, why do you tarry so long?
Your Savior is waiting to give you
A place in His sanctified throng.

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Why not? Why not?
Why not come to Him now?
Why not? Why not?
Why not come to Him now?

What do you hope, dear brother,
To gain by a further delay?
There’s no one to save you but Jesus,
There’s no other way but His way.

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Do you not feel, dear brother,
His Spirit now striving within?
Oh, why not accept His salvation,
And throw off your burden of sin?

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Why do your wait, dear brother?
The harvest is passing away,
Your Savior is longing to bless you,
There are danger and death in delay.

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Oh, what a Savior that He died for me!
From condemnation He hath made me free;
“He that believeth on the Son,” said He,
“Hath everlasting life.”

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“Verily, verily, I say unto you;
Verily, verily,” message ever new!
“He that believeth on the Son” ’tis true!
“Hath everlasting life!”

All my iniquities on Him were laid,
All my indebtedness by Him was paid;
All who believe on Him, the Lord hath said,
“Hath everlasting life.”

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Though poor and needy, I can trust my Lord;
Though weak and sinful I believe His Word;
O glad message! Every child of God
“Hath everlasting life.”

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Though all unworthy, yet I will not doubt;
For him that cometh He will not cast out:
“He that believeth,” oh, the good news shout!
“Hath everlasting life.”

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