On a day when men were counted, God became the Son of Man,
That His Name in every census should be entered was His plan.
God, the Lord of all creation, humbly takes a creature’s place;
He Whose form no man has witnessed has today a human face.

On a night, while silent shepherds watched their flocks upon the plain,
Came a message with its summons brought by song of angel train:
Lo, in Bethlehem’s little village has arrived the shepherd King,
And each shepherd to his Master must his sheep as offering bring.

When there shone the star of David in the spangled eastern sky,
Kings arrived to pay their homage to the Christ, the Lord most high.
Yet not all, for lo, there soundeth through the streets a fearful cry;
For a king who will not worship has decreed that Christ must die.

Yet it’s Christmas, and we greet Him, coming even now to save;
For the Lord of our salvation was not captive to the grave.
Out of Egypt came the Savior, man’s Immanuel to be—
Christmas shines with Easter glory, glory of eternity.

Jesus, our Brother, strong and good,
Was humbly born in a stable rude,
And the friendly beasts around Him stood,
Jesus, our Brother, strong and good.

“I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
“I carried His mother uphill and down,
I carried His mother to Bethlehem town;
I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

“I,” said the cow, all white and red,
“I gave Him my manger for His bed,
I gave Him hay to pillow His head;
I,” said the cow, all white and red.

“I,” said the sheep with curly horn,
“I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm,
He wore my coat on Christmas morn;
I,” said the sheep with curly horn.

“I,” said the dove, from the rafters high,
“I cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry,
We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I;
I,” said the dove, from the rafters high.

Thus all the beasts, by some good spell,
In the stable dark were glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel,
The gifts they gave Emmanuel.

Once in royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her Baby
In a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.

He came down to earth from Heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all,
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall;
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Savior holy.

And, through all His wondrous childhood,
He would honor and obey,
Love and watch the lowly maiden,
In whose gentle arms He lay:
Christian children all must be
Mild, obedient, good as He.

For He is our childhood’s pattern;
Day by day, like us He grew;
He was little, weak and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see Him,
Through His own redeeming love,
For that Child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in Heav’n above,
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him; but in Heaven,
Set at God’s right hand on high;
Where like stars His children crowned
All in white shall wait around.

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.

My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep;
I, too, must sing with joyful tongue
That sweetest ancient cradle song.

Glory to God in highest Heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.

The Babe in Bethlem’s manger laid,
In humble form so low,
By wond’ring angels is surveyed,
Thro’ all His scenes of woe.

Refrain

Nowell, Nowell—
O sing a Savior’s birth:
All hail His coming down to earth,
Who raises us to Heav’n.

A Savior! sinners all around
Sing, shout the wondrous word;
Let every bosom hail the sound,
A Savior! Christ the Lord.

Refrain

For not to sit on David’s throne
With worldly pomp and joy,
He came for sinners to atone,
And Satan to destroy.

Refrain

To preach the word of life divine,
To give the living bread,
To heal the sick with hand benign,
And raise to life the dead.

Refrain

He preached, He suffered, bled and died,
Uplift ’twixt earth and skies;
In sinners’ stead was crucified,
For sin a sacrifice.

Refrain

Well may we sing the Savior’s birth,
Who need the grace so giv’n,
And hail His coming down to earth,
Who raises us to Heav’n.

Refrain

Child in the manger, Infant of Mary,
Outcast and Stranger, Lord of all,
Child Who inherits all our transgressions,
All our demerits on Him fall.

Once the most holy Child of salvation
Gently and lowly lived below.
Now as our glorious mighty Redeemer,
See Him victorious o’er each foe.

Prophets foretold Him, Infant of wonder;
Angels behold Him on His throne.
Worthy our Savior of all our praises;
Happy forever are His own.

Come rejoicing, praises voicing,
Christmas Day is breaking;
Now th’Eternal, Lord supernal,
Human form is taking.
On the hay—lo, behold
Virgin’s Son, as foretold,
Lies the precious Infant in the wintry cold,
Lies the precious Infant in the wintry cold.

Unabated for Him waited
Many generations;
Him now proudly angels loudly
Praise the Hope of nations.
Let us, then, gladly sing,
Let our songs gaily ring,
As we to this holy Child our praises bring,
As we to this holy Child our praises bring.

Tender Flower, Mighty Tower,
Jesus Christ, our Savior;
Heav’nly Treasure, without measure,
Thee we love forever.
Lord and King without end,
Our poor hearts now befriend,
All Thy gifts of grace and goodness to us send,
All Thy gifts of grace and goodness to us send.

Cradled in a manger, meanly,
Laid the Son of Man His head;
Sleeping His first earthly slumber
Where the oxen had been fed.
Happy were those shepherds listening
To the holy angel’s word;
Happy they within that stable
Worshipping their infant Lord.

Happy all who hear the message
Of His coming from above;
Happier still who hail His coming,
And with praises greet His love.
Blessèd Savior, Christ most holy,
In a manger Thou didst rest;
Canst Thou stoop again, yet lower,
And abide within my breast?

Evil things are there before Thee;
In the heart, where they have fed,
Wilt Thou pitifully enter,
Son of Man, and lay Thy head?
Enter, then, O Christ most holy;
Make a Christmas in my heart;
Make a heaven of my manger:
It is heaven where Thou art.

And to those who never listened
To the message of Thy birth,
Who have winter, but no Christmas
Bringing them Thy peace on earth,
Send to these the joyful tidings;
By all people, in each home,
Be there heard the Christmas anthem;
Praise to God, the Christ has come!

Dear little One! how sweet Thou art,
Thine eyes so bright they shine,
So bright they almost seem to speak
When Mary’s looks meet Thine.
How faint and feeble is Thy cry,
Like plaint of harmless dove,
When Thou dost murmur in Thy sleep
Of sorrow and of love.

When Mary bids Thee sleep Thou sleep’st,
Thou wakest when she calls;
Thou art content upon her lap,
Or in the rugged stalls.
Simplest of Babes! with what a grace,
Thou dost Thy mother’s will,
Thine infant fashions all betray
The Godhead’s hidden skill.

When Joseph takes Thee in his arms,
And smoothes Thy little cheek,
Thou lookest up into his face
So helpless and so meek.
Yes! Thou art what Thou seem’st to be,
A thing of smiles and tears;
Yet Thou art God, and Heav’n and earth
Adore Thee with their fears.

Low in a manger, dear little Stranger,
Jesus, the wonderful Savior, was born.
There was none to receive Him, none to believe Him,
None but the angels were watching that morn.

Refrain

Dear little Stranger, slept in a manger,
No downy pillow under His head;
But with the poor He slumbered secure,
The dear little Babe in His bed.

Angels descending, over Him bending,
Chanted a tender and silent refrain;
Then a wonderful story told of His glory,
Unto the shepherds on Bethlehem’s plain.

Refrain

Dear little Stranger, born in a manger,
Maker and Monarch, and Savior of all;
I will love You forever! Grieve You? No, never!
You did for me make Your bed in a stall.

Refrain

Dost Thou in a manger lie, who hast all created,
Stretching infant hands on high, Savior, long awaited?
If a monarch, where Thy state? Where Thy court on Thee to wait?
Royal purple where? Here no regal pomp we see;
Naught but need and penury; why thus cradled here?

“Pitying love for fallen man brought Me down thus low…
For a race deep lost in sin, came I into woe…
By this lowly birth of Mine, sinner riches shall be thine,
Matchless gifts and free; willingly this yoke I take,
And this sacrifice I make, heaping joys for thee.”

Fervent praise would I to Thee evermore be raising;
For Thy wondrous love to me Thee be ever praising.
Glory, glory be forever unto that most bounteous Giver,
And that loving Lord! Better witness to Thy worth,
Purer praise than ours on earth, angels’ songs afford.

Gentle Mary laid her Child lowly in a manger;
There He lay, the undefiled, to the world a Stranger:
Such a Babe in such a place, can He be the Savior?
Ask the saved of all the race who have found His favor.

Angels sang about His birth; wise men sought and found Him;
Heaven’s star shone brightly forth, glory all around Him:
Shepherds saw the wondrous sight, heard the angels singing;
All the plains were lit that night, all the hills were ringing.

Gentle Mary laid her Child lowly in a manger;
He is still the undefiled, but no more a stranger:
Son of God, of humble birth, beautiful the story;
Praise His Name in all the earth, hail the King of glory!

Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes!
What is it in that manger lies?
Who is the Child so young and fair?
The blessèd Christ Child lieth there.

My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep;
I, too, must sing, with joyful tongue,
That sweetest, dearest cradle song.

Glory to God in highest Heav’n,
Who unto man His Son has giv’n,
While angels sing, our hearts to cheer,
To all the earth a glad new year!

Glad Christmas bells, your music tells
The sweet and pleasant story;
How came to earth, in lowly birth,
The Lord of life and glory.

No palace hall its ceiling tall
His kingly head spread over,
There only stood a stable rude
The heavenly Babe to cover.

No raiment gay, as there He lay,
Adorned the infant Stranger;
Poor, humble Child of mother mild,
She laid Him in a manger.

But from afar, a splendid star
The wise men westward turning;
The livelong night saw pure and bright,
Above His birth place burning.

Hush, my dear, lie still and slumber,
Holy angels guard thy bed,
Heav’nly blessings without number,
Gently falling on thy head.
How much better thou’rt attended,
Than the Son of God could be,
When from Heaven He descended,
And became a child like thee!

Soft and easy is thy cradle,
Coarse and hard thy Savior lay:
When His birthplace was a stable,
And His softest bed was hay.
Oh, to tell the wondrous story,
How His foes abused their King;
How they killed the Lord of glory,
Makes me angry while I sing.

Hush, my child, I did not chide thee,
Though my song may seem so hard;
’Tis thy mother sits beside thee,
And her arms shall be thy guard.
May’st thou learn to know and fear Him,
Love and serve Him all thy days;
Then to dwell forever near Him,
Tell His love and sing His praise.

In a lowly manger sleeping,
Calm and still a Babe we see,
’Tis the Holy Child of promise,
Light of all the world is He.

Holy angels sing His welcome
In the realms of glory bright,
While the morning stars around Him
Fall in soft and tender light.

Blessèd Savior, dear Redeemer,
King of Judah, Prince of Peace,
Rock of Ages, Star of nations,
Thy dominion ne’er shall cease.

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Infant holy, Infant lowly, for His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a Gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the Babe was born for you.

An Infant lay within a shed,
Where ox and ass were tied and fed;
Hard by there stood a maiden mild;
’Twas Mary, mother to the child.

Refrain

My God, my Lord, Jesus,
’Twas He was cradled thus.

With voices sweet in awe to Him
There sung a choir of seraphim,
“Praise, worship, glory,” loud they cry,
“To God whose kingdom fills the sky.”

The herds, when they thereof heard say,
Anon with gladness went their way
To Bethlem; when they found Him there,
That noble Child, full fain they were.

Refrain

A bright star at the self-same tide
Was by the three good kings espied:
Afar from eastern land they fare;
A goodly present each doth bear.

Refrain

Before yon Babe, of high degree,
They kneel and pray on bended knee,
Presenting gifts with reverence,
Of gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.

Refrain

Then Herod King, in mood unmild,
Assayed to slay the royal Child;
Fell many a babe at his command,
But Christ was safe in Egypt-land.

Refrain

When thirty years were fully past
This Infant, He was crossed at last,
Was dead, and buried tomb within,
That man eternal life might win.

Refrain

But, on the third day, nothing else,
He rose again, as Gospel tells:
Ascended to His Father-land,
There sitteth He at God’s right hand.

Refrain

Listen, Lordings, unto me, a tale I will you tell;
Which, as on this night of glee, in David’s town befel.
Joseph came from Nazareth, with Mary that sweet maid:
Weary they were, nigh to death; and for a lodging prayed.

Refrain

Sing high, sing high, sing low, sing low.
Sing high, sing low, sing to and fro,
Go tell it out with speed,
Cry out and shout all round about,
That Christ is born indeed.

In the inn they found no room; a scanty bed they made:
Soon a Babe from Mary’s womb was in the manger laid.
Forth He came as light through glass: He came to save us all.
In the stable ox and ass before their Maker fall.

Refrain

Shepherds lay afield that night, to keep the silly sheep,
Hosts of angels in their sight came down from Heav’n’s high steep.
Tidings! Tidings! unto you: to you a Child is born,
Purer than the drops of dew, and brighter than the morn.

Refrain

Onward then the angels sped, the shepherds onward went,
God was in His manger bed, in worship low they bent.
In the morning see ye mind, my masters one and all,
At the altar Him to find, who lay within the stall.

Refrain

There’s a manger-Babe in a far off land,
But it holds the world in its infant hand;
Just a manger-Babe in its humble bed,
But a matchless crown is upon its head.

Refrain

O manger-Babe, Thy lowly rest
More royal is than princely bed;
Best of earth’s diadems would be
Only as dross on Thy kingly head.

Just a manger-Babe, but it is the worth
Of the Father’s love to the sons of earth;
’Tis a King that sleeps in the lowly stall,
’Tis the King of kings! ’tis the Lord of all.

Refrain

’Tis the manger-Babe, ’tis the manger-King,
Unto Him all hail! unto Him we sing;
O the glad and joyful hosannas swell,
For the manger-King is Immanuel!

Refrain

No beautiful chamber, no soft cradle bed,
No place but a manger, nowhere for His head;
No praises of gladness, no thought of their sin,
No glory but sadness, no room in the inn.

Refrain

No room, no room, for Jesus,
O give Him welcome free,
Lest you should hear at Heaven’s gate,
“There is no room for thee.”

No sweet consecration, no seeking His part,
No humiliation, no place in the heart;
No thought of the Savior, no sorrow for sin,
No prayer for His favor, no room in the inn.

Refrain

No one to receive Him, no welcome while here,
No balm to relieve Him, no staff but a spear;
No seeking His treasure, no weeping for sin,
No doing His pleasure, no room in the inn.

Refrain

O Child of lowly manger birth
On whose low cry the ages wait,
Lead us Thy way, and every day
Guide us to see what made Thee great.

O Jesus, youth of Nazareth,
Preparing for the bitter strife,
Wilt Thou impart to every heart
Thy perfect purity of life?

O Christ whose words make dear the fields
And hillsides green of Galilee,
Grant us to find, with reverent mind,
The truth Thou saidst should make us free.

O suffering Lord on Calvary,
Whom love led on to mortal pain,
We know Thy cross is not a loss
If we Thy love shall truly gain.

O Master of abundant life
From natal morn to victory’s hour,
We look to Thee, heed Thou our plea,
Teach us to share Thy ageless power.

O Jesus Christ, Thy manger is
My paradise at which my soul reclineth.
For there, O Lord, doth lie the Word
Made flesh for us; herein Thy grace forthshineth.

He Whom the sea and wind obey
Doth come to serve the sinner in great meekness.
Thou, God’s own Son, with us art one,
Dost join us and our children in our weakness.

Thy light and grace our guilt efface,
Thy heavenly riches all our loss retrieving.
Immanuel, Thy birth doth quell
The power of hell and Satan’s bold deceiving.

Thou Christian heart, whoe’er thou art,
Be of good cheer and let no sorrow move thee!
For God’s own Child, in mercy mild,
Joins thee to Him—how greatly God must love thee!

Remember thou what glory now
The Lord prepared thee for all earthly sadness.
The angel host can never boast
Of greater glory, greater bliss or gladness.

The world may hold her wealth and gold;
But thou, my heart, keep Christ as thy true Treasure.
To Him hold fast until at last
A crown be thine and honor in full measure.

Ring out the bells for Christmas,
The happy, happy day;
In winter wild, the holy Child
Within the cradle lay.
O wonderful! the Savior
Is in the manger lone;
His palace is a stable,
And Mary’s arms His throne.

Refrain

Ring out the bells for Christmas,
The merry, merry Christmas,
Ring out the bells for Christmas,
The happy, happy day.

On Beth’lem’s quiet hillside,
In ages long gone by,
In angel notes the glory floats,
“Glory to God on high.”
Yet wakes the sun as joyous
As when the Lord was born,
And still He comes to greet you
On ev’ry Christmas morn.

Refrain

Where’er His sweet lambs gather,
Within this gentle fold
The Savior dear is waiting near,
As in the days of old.
In each young heart you see Him,
In ev’ry guileless face,
You see the holy Jesus,
Who grew in truth and grace.

Refrain

In many a darksome cottage,
In many a crowded street,
In winter bleak, with shiv’ring cheek,
The homeless child you meet.
Gaze upon the pale, wan features,
The feet with wand’ring sore.
You see the souls He loveth,
The Christ Child at the door.

Refrain

Then sing your gladsome carols,
And hail the newborn Sun;
For Christmas light is passing bright,
It smiles on everyone;
And feast Christ’s little children,
His poor, his orphans call,
For He Who chose the manger,
He loveth one and all.

Refrain

Sleep! Holy Babe! upon Thy mother’s breast;
Great Lord of earth and sea and sky,
How sweet it is to see Thee lie
In such a place of rest,
In such a place of rest.

Sleep! Holy Babe! Thine angels watch around,
All bending low with folded wings,
Before th’incarnate King of kings,
In reverent awe profound.
In reverent awe profound.

Sleep! Holy Babe! while I with Mary gaze
In joy upon that face awhile,
Upon the loving infant smile
Which there divinely plays.
Which there divinely plays.

Sleep! Holy Babe! ah! take Thy brief repose;
Too quickly will Thy slumbers break,
And Thou to lengthened pains awake
That death alone shall close,
That death alone shall close.

Sleep, little Baby, sleep, O sleep,
Mother dear sang.
Tenderly rest, Child, sleep in peace,
Her soft voice rang.
Sleep, heav’nly Child, tenderly sleep,
Lord God art Thou.
Heaven and earth in praises join,
Praise to Thee now.

Lowly in manger camest Thou,
Us to redeem.
Shepherds revered Thee, worshipped Thee,
Holiest scene.
Heavenly star shone on Thee bright,
Radiant Lord.
Peoples of earth are drawn to Thee,
Hence evermore.

Angels be silent, sleep, O Child,
Peace may here reign.
Bow before Him, ye nations all,
In glad refrain.
God sent His Son to set us free,
Peace to accord.
Let us then praise and honor Him,
Jesus our Lord.

The snow lay on the ground,
The stars shone bright,
When Christ our Lord was born
On Christmas night.
Venite adoremus Dominum;
Venite adoremus Dominum.

Refrain

Venite adoremus Dominum;
Venite adoremus Dominum;
Venite adoremus Dominum;
Venite adoremus Dominum;

’Twas Mary, daughter pure
Of holy Anne,
That brought into this world
The God made man.
She laid Him in a stall
At Bethlehem;
The ass and oxen shared
The roof with them.

Refrain

Saint Joseph, too, was by
To tend the Child;
To guard him, and protect
His mother mild;
The angels hovered round,
And sung this song,
Venite adoremus Dominum.

Refrain

And thus that manger poor
Became a throne;
For He Whom Mary bore
Was God the Son.
O come, then, let us join
The heav’nly host,
To praise the Father, Son,
And Holy Ghost.

Refrain

I’ll tell you a tale of the olden time,
While the yule log burns bright, and the church bells chime.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
There sate a fair princess in joy on her throne,
And there in her arms her Infant was shown:
Gloria in excelsis, Gloria in excelsis
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

The beasts of the meadows bowed down their head
All under the moonlight so softly shed.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
They worshipped the King of Creation there
In the arms of the mother so passing fair.
Gloria in excelsis, Gloria in excelsis
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

O who are these masters of ancient mould?
O these are the shepherds, the lords of the fold;
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
They have heard from the sky of the birth of their King,
They have heard all the sky with the harmony ring.
Gloria in excelsis, Gloria in excelsis
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

The kings of the east in number three,
All worship the Monarch of high degree;
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Their tribute they offer, their heads they bow,
And clearer and clearer is echoing now,
Gloria in excelsis, Gloria in excelsis
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

For all the zenith is blazing with light,
And musical voices enrapture the night:
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
O this is the carol of peace and goodwill
From the voices celestial, the zenith that fill;
Gloria in excelsis, Gloria in excelsis
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

There came a little Child to earth
Long ago;
And the angels of God proclaimed His birth,
High and low.

Out on the night, so calm and still,
Their song was heard;
For they knew that the Child on Bethlehem’s hill
Was Christ the Lord.

Far away in the goodly land
Fair and bright;
Children with crowns of glory stand,
Robed in white.

They sing, the Lord of Heaven so fair,
A Child was born;
And that they might His crown of glory share,
Wore crown of thorn.

In mortal weakness, want and pain,
He came to die,
That the children of earth might in glory reign
With Him on high.

And evermore in robes so fair
And undefiled,
Those ransomed children His praise declare,
Who was a Child.

There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky!
There’s a mother’s deep prayer and a baby’s low cry!
And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

There’s a tumult of joy o’er the wonderful birth,
For the virgin’s sweet Boy is the Lord of the earth.
Ay! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

In the light of that star lie the ages impearled;
And that song from afar has swept over the world.
Every hearth is aflame, and the beautiful sing
In the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!

We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song
That comes down through the night from the heavenly throng.
Ay! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring,
And we greet in His cradle our Savior and King!

This endris night1 I saw a sight
A star as bright as day;
And ever among a maiden sung,
“Lullay, by by, lullay.”

This lovely lady sat and sung,
And to her Child did say:
“My Son, my Brother, Father, dear,
Why liest Thou thus in hay?”

“My sweetest bird, thus ’tis required,
Though Thou be King veray2;
But nevertheless I will not cease
To sing, By by, lullay.”

The Child then spake in His talking,
And to his mother said:
“Yea, I am known as Heaven-King,
In crib though I be laid.

“For angels bright down to Me light3:
Thou knowest ’tis no nay4:
And for that sight thou may’st delight
To sing, By by, lullay.”

“Now, sweet Son, since Thou art a king,
Why art Thou laid in stall?
Why dost not order thy bedding
In some great kingès hall?

“Methinks5 ’tis right that king or knight
Should lie in good array:
And then among, it were no wrong
To sing, By by, lullay.”

“Mary mother, I am thy Child,
Though I be laid in stall;
For lords and dukes shall worship Me,
And so shall kingès all.

“Ye shall well see that kingès three
Shall come on this twelfth day.
For this behest give Me thy breast
And sing, By by, lullay.”

“Now tell, sweet Son, I Thee do pray,
Thou art my Love and Dear—
How should I keep Thee to Thy pay6,
And make Thee glad of cheer?

“For all Thy will I would fulfill—
Thou knowest well, in fay7;
And for all this I will Thee kiss,
And sing, By by, lullay.”

“My dear mother, when time it be,
Take thou Me up on loft,
And set Me then upon thy knee,
And handle me full soft.

“And in thy arm thou hold Me warm,
And keep Me night and day,
And if I weep, and may not sleep,
Thou sing, By by, lullay.”

“Now sweet Son, since it is come so,
That all is at Thy will,
I pray Thee grant to me a boon8,
If it be right and skill9,—

“That child or man, who will or can
Be merry on my day,
To bliss Thou bring—and I shall sing,
Lullay, by by, lullay.”

To Thee my heart I offer,
O Christ-child sweet and dear,
Upon Thy love relying;
Oh, be Thou ever near!
Take Thou my heart and give me Thine
And let it be forever mine,
O Jesus, holy, undefiled,
My Savior meek and mild.

My heart within is glowing,
O Christ-child sweet and dear;
I love Thee, Lord and Savior,
Oh, be Thou ever near!
I see Thee in a manger laid,
Near cattle resting unafraid;
I see Thy deep humility
And lowly bow to Thee.

What brought Thee to the manger,
O Christ-child sweet and dear?
Thy love for me, a stranger—
Oh, be Thou ever near!
O Lord, how great is this Thy love
That reaches down from Heav’n above,
Thy love for us, by sin defiled,
That made Thee, God, a child!

With all my heart and being,
O Christ-child sweet and dear,
I love Thee, and Thee only;
Oh, be Thou ever near!
My heart I in Thy manger lay;
Let it remain there and for aye
Draw it to Thee that it may be
Secure eternally.

Let me be Thine forever,
O Christ-child sweet and dear;
Uphold me with Thy mercy,
And be Thou ever near.
From Thee I gladly all receive,
And what is mine to Thee I give,
My heart, my soul, and all I own.
Let these be Thine alone.

’Twas in the winter cold, when earth
Was desolate and wild,
That angels welcomed at His birth
The everlasting Child.
From realms of ever bright’ning day,
And from His throne above
He came with humankind to stay,
All lowliness and love.

Then in the manger the poor beast
Was present with his Lord;
Then swains and pilgrims from the East
Saw, wondered, and adored.
And I this morn would come with them
This blessèd sight to see,
And to the Babe of Bethlehem
Bend low the reverent knee.

But I have not, it makes me sigh,
One offering in my power;
’Tis winter all with me, and I
Have neither fruit nor flower.
O God, O Brother, let me me give
My worthless self to Thee;
And that the years which I may live
May pure and spotless be.

Grant me Thyself, O Savior kind,
The Spirit undefiled,
That I may be in heart and mind
As gentle as a child;
That I may tread life’s arduous ways
As Thou Thyself hast trod,
And in the might of prayer and praise
Keep ever close to God.

Light of the everlasting morn,
Deep through my spirit shine;
There let Thy presence newly born
Make all my being Thine:
There try me as the silver, try,
And cleanse my soul with care,
Till Thou art able to descry
Thy faultless image there.

A virgin pure, both meek and mild
In Bethlehem brought forth her Child,
In Bethlehem brought forth her Child;
Our nature first on Him to take,
And then, as Christ, our peace to make,
Our nature first on Him to take,
And then, as Christ, our peace to make.

Consider what the spotless Lamb
Did undergo for sinful man,
Did undergo for sinful man,
Nailed to the cross to pain and die,
While wicked spies stood gazing by!
Nailed to the cross to pain and die,
While wicked spies stood gazing by!

Who can express the joy and love
That God sent down from Heaven above
That God sent down from Heaven above
From Satan’s power redeeming all,
When we were lost by Adam’s fall?
From Satan’s power redeeming all,
When we were lost by Adam’s fall?

Then let us praise the God of Heaven,
Who unto us His Son hath giv’n,
Who unto us His Son hath giv’n,
Hath sent Him down with us to dwell
Our Jesus our Emmanuel,
Hath sent Him down with us to dwell
Our Jesus our Emmanuel.

The virgin stills the crying
Of Jesus, sleepless lying;
And singing for His pleasure,
Thus calls upon her Treasure,

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“My Darling, do not weep,
My Jesu, sleep!”

O Lamb, my love inviting,
O Star, my soul delighting,
O Flower of mine own bearing,
O Jewel past comparing!

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My Child, of Might indwelling,
My Sweet, all sweets excelling,
Of bliss the Fountain flowing,
The Dayspring ever glowing,

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My Joy, my Exultation,
My spirit’s Consolation;
My Son, my Spouse, my Brother,
O listen to Thy mother!

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Say, would’st Thou heav’nly sweetness,
Or love of answering meetness?
Or is fit music wanting?
Ho! Angels, raise your chanting!

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When Christmas morn is dawning
In faith I would repair
Unto the lowly manger;
My Savior lieth there,
Unto the lowly manger;
My Savior lieth there.

How kind, O loving Savior,
To come from Heav’n above;
From sin and evil save us,
And keep us in Thy love,
From sin and evil save us,
And keep us in Thy love.

We need Thee, blessèd Jesus,
Our dearest friend Thou art;
Forbid that we by sinning
Should grieve Thy loving heart,
Forbid that we by sinning
Should grieve Thy loving heart,

When Joseph went with Mary
To David’s royal town,
With travelling were they weary,
Yet lodging not they found;
They searched the city over,
At every inn did call;
“No room,” they heard, and time again,
So stayed in oxen’s stall.

No palace fit for royal birth,
No purple robes disclose;
The King of Glory, come from Heav’n,
A lowly manger chose;
Our Savior and Redeemer,
In swaddling clothes entwined,
The Babe whose life would be the price
To rescue lost mankind.

While shepherds flocks were watching,
And sleeping in the field,
Announcement of Immanuel’s birth
Was suddenly revealed;
A sun-bright shining angel,
Said, “Fear not, I am here
To bring glad tidings of great joy,”
But shepherds shook with fear.

“Shake off your fears and listen—
Lo, you have cause to sing!
Here in the town of David
Tonight is born a King;
For God so loved the world that
He sent His only Son;
Who places faith in Him alone
Eternal life has won.”

While shepherds wondered at the news
Then glorious hosts appear,
Proclaiming, “Glory, peace on earth,
The Savior now is near;
No longer be a stranger,
He waits for you this night;
Go see the Prince in manger straw
In royal stable bright.”

They hastened unto Bethlehem,
With eagerness did go,
They found the Child in swaddling clothes,
Amazed that it was so;
Like them, do not reject Him,
Nor spurn that gracious call,
From One who came to earth for us,
The price to pay for all.

O tell me, gentle shepherd,
Gentle shepherd, gentle shepherd,
O tell me what the angels sang
In the early Christmas morn.
O tell me what the angels sang
In the early Christmas morn.

O listen, happy children,
Happy children, happy children,
While I tell you what the angels sang
In the early Christmas morn.
“Fear ye not, I bring good tidings,
For today the Lord is born!”

O tell me, gentle shepherd,
Gentle shepherd, gentle shepherd,
What the great bright host of angels sang,
All out in the fields so still.
What the great bright host of angels sang,
All out in the fields so still.

I will tell you, Christian children,
Christian children, Christian children,
What the great bright host of angels sang,
All out in the fields so still:
“Glory in the highest, glory!
Peace on earth, to all goodwill!”

Let us keep, then, happy Christmas,
Happy Christmas, happy Christmas,
Children, shepherds, folks, and angels
All the blest song repeating still:
“Glory in the highest, glory!
Peace on earth, to all goodwill!”

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Savior of the world was born.
Rise to adore the mystery of love
Which hosts of angels chanted from above,
With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God incarnate and the virgin’s Son.

Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard th’angelic herald’s voice, “Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Savior’s birth
To you and all the nations of the earth;
This day hath God fulfilled His promised Word;
This day is born a Savior, Christ the Lord.”

He spoke; and straightaway the celestial choir
In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire;
The praises of redeeming love they sang,
And Heav’n’s whole orb with alleluias rang.
God’s highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace on the earth and unto men good will.

To Bethl’hem straight th’enlightened shepherds ran
To see the wonder God had wrought for man
And found, with Joseph and the blessèd maid,
Her Son, the Savior, in a manger laid;
Then to their flocks, still praising God, return,
And their glad hearts with holy rapture burn.

Like Mary let us ponder in our mind
God’s wondrous love in saving lost mankind!
Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
From His poor manger to His bitter cross,
Tread in His steps, assisted by His grace,
Till man’s first heav’nly state again takes place.

Then may we hope, th’angelic hosts among,
To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song.
He that was born upon this joyful day
Around us all His glory shall display.
Saved by His love, incessantly we sing
Eternal praise to Heav’n’s almighty King.

Dawning fair, morning wonderful,
When the infant Christ was born;
Tidings brought by humble shepherds,
Child belovèd, Child adored,
Child belovèd, Child adored.

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay tending their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

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Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

They lookèd up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.

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And by the light of that same star
Three Wise Men came from country far;
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.

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This star drew nigh to the northwest,
Over Bethlehem it took its rest;
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay.

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Then did they know assuredly
Within that house the King did lie;
One entered it them for to see,
And found the Babe in poverty.

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Then entered in those Wise Men three,
Full reverently upon the knee,
And offered there, in His presence,
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

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Between an ox stall and an ass,
This Child truly there He was;
For want of clothing they did Him lay
All in a manger, among the hay.

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Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made Heaven and earth of naught,
And with His blood mankind hath bought.

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If we in our time shall do well,
We shall be free from death and hell;
For God hath prepared for us all
A resting place in general.

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The flocks were wrapped in slumber all along the dewy ground,
The shepherds lay in silence keeping watch on all around.
They little thought such sight to see before their watch should cease,
Now glory be to God on high, and on the earth be peace.

The angel of the Lord came down in floods of dazzling light,
Above the brightness of the sun when he goes forth in might;
His voice, it was so wondrous sweet, it made their hearts to thrill,
Now glory be to God on high, and unto men goodwill.

“Fear not,” he said, “I bring glad news; in David’s town this morn,
To you and all the world a Savior, Christ the Lord, is born;
This day is born the Savior Christ, to save us from all ill;
Now glory be to God on high, and unto men goodwill.”

Then opened Heaven’s chancel, while the shepherds gazed in fear,
Out trooped the choir of angels; oh, the blessedness to hear!
And loud they sang as though the heavens were not enough to fill;
Now glory be to God on high, and unto men goodwill.

Oh, praise the Lord of hosts who sent His singers sweet that night,
From the holy place of Heaven, from the choir that needs no light;
Let love this holy season keep; let strife and turmoil cease,
And glory be to God on high, and on the earth be peace.

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Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.

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The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angels chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth.

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Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn.

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In the field with their flocks abiding,
They lay on the dewy ground;
And glimmering under the starlight,
The sheep lay white around;
When the light of the Lord streamed o’er them,
And lo! from heaven above,
An angel leaned from the glory,
And sang his song of love.
He sang, that first sweet Christmas,
The song that shall never cease.

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“Glory to God in the highest,
On earth good will and peace.”

“To you in the city of David
A Savior is born today!”
And sudden a host of the heavenly ones
Flashed forth to join the lay.
O never hath sweeter message
Thrilled home to the souls of men
And the heavens themselves had never heard
A gladder choir till then.
For they sang that Christmas carol
That never on earth shall cease.

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And the shepherds came to the manger,
And gazed on the Holy Child;
And calmly o’er that rude cradle
The virgin mother smiled;
And the sky in the starlit silence,
Seemed full of the angel lay:
“To you in the City of David
A Savior is born today!”
O they sang, and we pray that never
The carol on earth shall cease.

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In the silence of that night so bright,
Came the song of angels from the height;
Come, O shepherds, rise and follow
To the stall where Jesus lies
And greet you there your Lord.

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold;
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From Heaven’s all gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains,
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever over its Babel sounds
The blessèd angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the angel strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not
The love-song which they bring;
O hush the noise, ye men of strife
And hear the angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet-bards foretold,
When with the ever circling years
Comes round the age of gold;
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

Night had fallen darkly
Over Judea’s hill;
Shepherds watched in silence,
All the flocks were still;
Light dispelled the darkness,
Light, then day more fair,
Lo! a mighty angel,
Stood in glory there.

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Long ago, long ago,
Came that angel bright,
“Fear ye not! Fear ye not!”
Rang across the night.
Long ago, long ago,
Over a bed of hay,
Angels fair, in the air,
Watched where Jesus lay.

Shepherds of Judea,
Watching flocks by night;
Patient, gentle watchers
Trembled at the light,
Trembled when the glory
O’er the hillside spread,
Trembled till the angel
“Fear not,” sweetly said.

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Hosts of shining angels
Joined the herald bright;
Legions from the glory,
Came that wondrous night—
Came with alleluias,
For a Savior born;
Came to tell the weary
Of redemption’s morn.

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Long years ago o’er Bethlehem’s hills
Was seen a wondrous thing;
As shepherds watched the sleeping flocks
They heard the angels sing.
The anthem rolled among the clouds
When earth was hushed and still;
Its notes proclaimed sweet peace on earth,
To all mankind good will.

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“Glory to God in the highest,”
The angels’ song resounds,
“Glory to God in the highest!”

That song is sung by rich and poor,
Where’er the Christ is known;
’Tis sung in words, and sung in deeds,
Which bind all hearts in one.
Angels are still the choristers,
But we the shepherds are,
To bear the message which they bring,
To those both near and far:

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Lowly shepherds of Judea,
On a winter’s night,
Heard a sound of angel voices,
Saw a wondrous light.

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O, merry, merry, merry, Koo-ree-soo-mah-soo!
Let us all be very merry, Koo-ree-soo-mah-soo!

Eastern wise men seeking Jesus,
Traveling from afar,
Just like us were filled with gladness,
When they saw His star.

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Friends today are keeping Christmas,
In America,
Brothers, sisters, singing with us,
Down in Africa.

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Transliteration of the Japanese:

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

O sing a song of Bethlehem, of shepherds watching there,
And of the news that came to them from angels in the air.
The light that shone on Bethlehem fills all the world today;
Of Jesus’ birth and peace on earth the angels sing alway.

O sing a song of Nazareth, of sunny days of joy;
O sing of fragrant flowers’ breath, and of the sinless Boy.
For now the flowers of Nazareth in every heart may grow;
Now spreads the fame of His dear Name on all the winds that blow.

O sing a song of Galilee, of lake and woods and hill,
Of Him Who walked upon the sea and bade the waves be still.
For though like waves on Galilee, dark seas of trouble roll,
When faith has heard the Master’s Word, falls peace upon the soul.

O sing a song of Calvary, its glory and dismay,
Of Him Who hung upon the tree, and took our sins away.
For He Who died on Calvary is risen from the grave,
And Christ, our Lord, by Heaven adored, is mighty now to save.

Over Bethl’em’s hillside beamed a glorious star,
With its radiant beauty all so fair
Led the wondrous wise men to the manger bed,
Where the King of kings was cradled there.

Refrain

Waiting shepherds with their flocks at midnight
Saw the radiance flooding o’er the earth,
Heard the heav’nly hosts in chorus singing
Blessèd news of Christ the Savior’s birth.
Earth responded to that heav’nly message,
Peace on earth, goodwill, goodwill to men;
In exultant strain the chorus ended;
O that earth might hear that song again!

On that night the angel bands with loud acclaim
Brought the earth the words of joy and peace,
Telling of the Savior who to earth came down
And His love that never more shall cease.

Refrain

Blessèd happy tidings to the world proclaim:
Christ the King eternal comes today;
Comes to earth so lowly as a little Child,
In our hearts in peace and love to stay.

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“Peace on earth, goodwill to men” the angels sang
On that Christmas night so long ago,
When the holy Babe was born in Bethlehem
That the world God’s matchless love might know.

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There’s a star in the East on Christmas morn,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.
It will lead to the place where the Christ was born,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.

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Follow, follow, rise up, shepherd, and follow.
Follow the Star of Bethlehem,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.

If you take good heed to the angel’s words,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.
You’ll forget your flocks, you’ll forget your herds,
Rise up, shepherd, and follow.

Refrain

See amid the winter’s snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See, the gentle Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.

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Hail that ever blessèd morn,
Hail redemption’s happy dawn,
Sing through all Jerusalem:
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Lo, within a manger lies
He Who built the starry skies;
He Who, thronèd in height sublime,
Sits amid the cherubim.

Refrain

Say, you holy shepherds, say,
Tell your joyful news today.
Why have you now left your sheep
On the lonely mountain steep?

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“As we watched at dead of night,
Lo, we saw a wondrous light;
Angels singing ‘Peace on earth’
Told us of the Savior’s birth.”

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Sacred Infant, all divine,
What a tender love was Thine,
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this.

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Teach, O teach us, holy Child,
By Thy face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee,
In Thy sweet humility.

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At Bethlehem, in wintry cold,
The faithful shepherds guard their fold:
The crowded town is sunk in sleep,
While midnight vigil still they keep.
And rocks and hills are ringing,
While they, to shield their sheep from harm,
And keep themselves awake and warm,
Are cheerily, loudly singing,

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“Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah,
Praise the Lord!”

Their fleecy flocks are gathered round,
All lying on the frosty ground,
And new-born lambkins may be seen,
Close nestling, here and there, between.
Their shepherds thus surrounding,
With tuneful heart and wakeful ear,
Their livelong night they love to hear,
The rocks and hills resounding,

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When lo! an angel, from on high,
Came sailing down the starry sky;
A glory all around him shined,
And left a track of light behind.
His way thus swiftly winging,
From far he smiles with radiant joy,
That shepherds thus their voice employ,
All night in sweetly singing—

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“Fear not,” said he—for at the sight
The simple shepherds start with fright—
“Fear not, for unto you this morn
In David’s town a Babe is born:
Tis Christ, your Lord and Savior,
Whose reign, when He is crownèd King,
Shall make both men and angels sing,
For ever and for ever—

Refrain

While yet he spake, in robes of flame
A flying cloud of angels came;
Upon the midnight air loud rang
Their golden harps, while thus they sang:
“To God on high be glory:
And peace on earth, good will to men!”
Angels and shepherds joining then,
Thus hail the wondrous story,

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Their leader then those hosts obey,
Unfold their wings and soar away
Yet loud their golden strings they ply
All singing, harping, as they fly;
Chorus to chorus calling.
Till past the stars they disappear,
That song the listening shepherds hear,
Still faint and fainter falling,

Refrain

Then straight they go to Bethlehem,
Their flocks all following after them;
They find the Babe in manger laid,
With Joseph and the mother-maid;
Before Him lowly kneeling,
They tell their tale: the infant King
Smiles sweetly on them while they sing,
With joy that cavern thrilling,

Refrain

Returning, they the tale repeat
Through all the long day-dawning street;
From door and window crowds look out,
To hear their strange, yet joyous shout.
Their sheep still follow, bleating;
And all that hear the shepherds’ song,
With burning heart and tingling tongue,
Send on the angelic greeting—

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And every Christmas-tide, that song
More numerous sounds, and yet more strong;
From age to age, from pole to pole,
It rolls along, and yet shall roll:
Till, crowned with splendor glorious,
That Babe shall come again, a King,
And saints and angels all shall sing,
In endless, boundless chorus—

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Shepherds! Shake off your drowsy sleep,
Rise and leave your silly sheep;
Angels from Heav’n around loud singing,
Tidings of great joy are bringing,

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Shepherds! The chorus come and swell!
Sing Nowell, O sing Nowell!

Hark! Even now the bells ring ’round;
Listen to their merry sound!
Hark! How the birds new songs are making,
As if winter’s chains were breaking,

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Cometh at length the age of peace,
Strife and sorrow now shall cease;
Prophets foretold the wondrous story
Of this Heaven-born Prince of glory,

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Shepherds! Then up and quick away!
Seek the Babe ere break of day;
He is the hope of every nation,
All in Him shall find salvation,

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Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light;
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Silent night, holy night
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!

Holy night, peaceful night!
Through the darkness beams a light
There, where they sweet vigils keep
O’er the Babe in silent sleep;
Resting in heavenly peace,
Resting in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holiest night!
Darkness flies and all is light!
Shepherds hear the angels sing;
“Hallelujah! hail the King!
Jesus, the Savior is here,
Jesus, the Savior is here.”

Holiest night, peaceful night!
Child of heaven, O how bright
Thou didst smile when Thou was born;
Blessèd was that happy morn,
Full of heavenly joy,
Full of heavenly joy.

Holy night! Peaceful Night!
All is dark, save the light
Yonder where they sweet vigil keep
O’er the Babe who in silent sleep
Rests in heavenly peace,
Rests in heavenly peace.

Holy Night! Peaceful Night!
Only for shepherds’ sight
Came blest visions of angel throngs,
With their loud alleluia songs,
Saying, Christ is come,
Saying, Christ is come.

O tell me the story that never grows old,
The story of One Whom the prophets foretold;
The Horn of salvation, the Scepter and Star,
The Light in the darkness they saw from afar.

Refrain

It never grows old, it never grows old,
The story of Jesus will never grow old!

O tell me the story that never grows old,
The story the angel at Bethlehem told;
The Babe in the manger, of lowliest birth,
The highest archangel excelling in worth.

Refrain

O tell me the story that never grows old,
The story the Gospels repeat manifold;
The love and compassion in Jesus we trace,
The power and patience, the glory and grace.

Refrain

O tell me the story that never grows old,
The story the ages to come will unfold;
The kindness of God in redeeming the lost,
The death of our Savior in paying the cost.

Refrain

To Thee, O God, the shepherd kings
Their earliest homage paid,
And wafted upon angel wings
Their worship was conveyed.

And they who “watched their flocks by night”
Were first to learn Thy grace,
Were first to seek by dawning light,
Their Savior’s dwelling place.

The hills and vales, the woods and streams,
The fruits and flowers, are Thine;
Where’er the sun can send its beams
Or the mild moon can shine.

By Thee, the spring puts forth its leaves,
By Thee, comes down the rain,
By Thee, the yellow harvest sheaves
Stand ripening on the plain.

When winter comes in storm and wrath,
Thy soothing voice is heard;
As round the farmer’s peaceful hearth
Is read Thy holy Word.

Thus are we fostered by Thy care,
Supported by Thy hand;
Our heritage is rich and fair,
And this Thy chosen land.

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around,
And glory shone around.

“Fear not!” said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind.
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind
To you and all mankind.

“To you, in David’s town, this day
Is born of David’s line
A Savior, who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign,
And this shall be the sign.

“The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid,
And in a manger laid.”

Thus spake the seraph and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God on high,
Who thus addressed their song,
Who thus addressed their song:

“All glory be to God on high,
And to the Earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from Heaven to men
Begin and never cease,
Begin and never cease!”

While their flocks the shepherds tended,
Heavenly hosts to earth descended,
Singing, with all voices blended,
“Fear not, Christ is born today.”

Eastern seers rich gifts had wrought Him,
Gold, frankincense, myrrh they brought Him;
Guided by a star they sought Him,
Prince of Life and Victory.

On that Child with Mary gazing,
Join ye Christians all in raising
Songs to Him whom Heaven is praising,
God incarnate come to men.

From this day’s first dawn to even,
Praise to Christ our King be given
By all earth, and all in Heaven,
In our sweetest, loftiest praise.

Wonderful night!Wonderful night!
Angels and shining immortals,
Thronging thine ebony portals,
Fling out their banners of light,
Wonderful, wonderful night!

Wonderful night!Wonderful night!
Dreamed of by prophets and sages!
Manhood redeemed for all ages,
Welcomes thy hallowing might,
Wonderful, wonderful night!

Wonderful night!Wonderful night!
Down o’er the stars to restore us,
Leading His flame-wingèd chorus,
Comes the Eternal to sight—
Wonderful, wonderful night!

Wonderful night!Wonderful night!
Thee did the daystar adorning,
Christen with dew of the morning;
Eve of a day ever bright—
Wonderful, wonderful night!

Wonderful night!Wonderful night!
Sweet be thy rest to the weary,
Making the dull heart and dreary
Laugh in a dream of delight;
Wonderful, wonderful night!

Wonderful night!Wonderful night!
Let me, as long as life lingers,
Sing with the cherubim singers,
“Glory to God in the height!”
Wonderful, wonderful night!

How blest were they on Bethlehem’s plain,
Beneath the midnight sky,
Who heard the angel’s joyful strain,
Who heard the angel’s joyful strain,
And felt that Heaven was nigh,
That Heaven was nigh.

“Fear not, for on this holy morn
Good news to all I bring;
In Bethlehem’s lowly shrine is born,
In Bethlehem’s lowly shrine is born,
Jesus, the infant King,
The infant King.”

Then suddenly a heavenly band
Join in the angel’s song,
While rock and hill through Judah’s land
While rock and hill through Judah’s land
The notes of praise prolong,
Of praise prolong.

And thus the joyful chorus ran—
“Glory to God be given!
For peace on earth, goodwill to man,
For peace on earth, goodwill to man,
Descend to him from Heaven,
To him from Heaven.”

Glad tidings! nor on Bethlehem’s plain
Alone that song was sweet;
Lo! millions hail with joy the strain,
Lo! millions hail with joy the strain,
And seek the Savior’s feet,
The Savior’s feet.

And still to millions yet unborn
Shall sound from shore to shore
The song, which waked that holy morn,
The song, which waked that holy morn,
Till time shall be no more!
Shall be no more!

Once o’er Judea’s hills by night
Was heard a joyful sound,
A host appeared, of angels bright,
And glory shone around.
Fear not, they sing, to you we bring
Glad tidings, peace on earth;
Good will to men, they caroled then,
And sang the Savior’s birth.
On Bethl’em’s plain no more we hear
The wondrous heav’nly chime;
But we can sound a strain as dear,
This joyful Christmas morn.

Refrain

Our song we raise as God we praise,
Good will and peace on earth;
With heart and voice we all rejoice,
And sing the Savior’s birth.

When they had sung their song of love,
The angels went away,
To sing in joyful courts above
That first glad Christmas day.
The shepherds heard the wondrous word
The angels brought to them;
Then hastened they where sleeping lay
The Babe of Bethlehem.
Around the manger gathering,
O! let us prostrate fall;
And to the infant Savior bring
Our hearts, our lives our all!

Refrain

A shepherd band their flocks are keeping,
And gentle lambs are sweetly sleeping;
When suddenly they all behold
An angel in bright robes, with harp of gold.

Glad tidings of great joy he bringeth,
The azure vault with anthems ringeth;
Immanuel awakes the song,
And countless hosts the glorious theme prolong.

“To you, this day, is born a Savior,
Your Prophet, Priest and King forever;
All glory be to God,” they cry;
“All glory be to God,” let earth reply.

“On earth be peace with mercy blending,
Goodwill to men, and love unending”;
Thus sweetly sing the angel throng,
And all the heav’nly host rehearse the song.

Through field and wood the song resoundeth,
O’er hill and vale the chorus boundeth;
Exultingly the echoes roll,
And hymns of triumph spread from pole to pole.

The shepherds view the host returning,
Their hearts with holy ardor burning;
To Bethlehem they wend their way,
Repeating with glad tongues th’angelic lay.

In haste they seek the heav’nly Stranger;
They find the Babe laid in a manger;
With wonder and with awe they fall,
And joyfully adore Him, Lord of all.

Now every voice with rapture swelleth,
For Christ the Lord with mortals dwelleth;
Let men and angels Him adore,
And shout their loud hosannas evermore.

To weary shepherds sleeping,
A blinding light appeared;
And from their couches sleeping,
They scattered, all afeared;
But Gabriel spake to calm them
From all that did alarm them.

With silver wings and golden
A mighty host they saw;
Ne’er had their eyes beholden
Such majesty before.
Said Gabriel that even,
“I come from God in Heaven.”

And while his words they ponder
The angel host around
Cried: “In a manger yonder
The King of kings is found!
Go shepherds, do not tarry;
Your loving homage carry.”

In joy they turned their faces
To where they heard He lay,
And merry were their paces
And songs upon the way.
And when the dawn was creeping
They found Him sweetly sleeping.

Their gifts they laid around Him
With shy and humble word,
And—happy to have found Him—
They lingered and adored.
While Gabriel—upward winging—
“Now peace on earth!” was singing.

As on the night before this happy morn,
A blessèd angel unto shepherds told,
Where in a stable He was poorly born,
Whom nor the earth nor Heav’n of Heav’ns can hold.
Thro’ Bethl’em rang this news at their return;
Yea, angels sang that God with us was born;
And they made mirth because we should not mourn,
And they made mirth because we should not mourn.
Their angel carols sing we then;
To God on high all glory be,
For peace on earth bestoweth He,
And showeth favor unto men.

This favor Christ vouchsafèd for our sake;
To buy us thrones, He in a manger lay;
Our weakness took, that we His strength might take,
And was disrobed, that He might us array;
Our flesh He wore, our sins to wear away;
Our curse He bore, that we escape it may;
And wept for us that we might sing for aye;
And wept for us that we might sing for aye;
With angels, therefore, sing again;
To God on high all glory be,
For peace on earth bestoweth He,
And showeth favor unto men.

Away with our fears!
The Godhead appears
In Christ reconciled
The Father of mercies in Jesus the Child.

He comes from above,
In manifest love,
Desire of our eyes,
The meek Lamb of God, in a manger He lies.

Immanuel’s birth
What triumph on earth!
Yet could it afford
No better a place for its heavenly Lord?

The Ancient of Days
Redeems a lost race:
His glory comes down
Self-humbled to carry us up to a crown.

Made flesh for our sake,
That we might partake
The nature divine,
Again in His image, His holiness shine.

A heavenly birth,
Experience on earth,
And rise to His throne,
And life with our Jesus eternally One.

Then let us believe,
And gladly receive
The tidings they bring
Who publish to sinners their Savior and King.

And while we are here,
Our King shall appear,
His Spirit impart,
And form His full image of love in our heart.

From church to church the bells’ glad tidings run:
A virgin hath conceived, and borne a Son
In Bethlehem.

And angel hosts, the midnight of His birth,
Sang “Glory be to God, and peace on earth,”
In Bethlehem.

“Now go we forth, and see this wondrous thing,”
The shepherds said, “and seek the newborn King
In Bethlehem.”

Then Herod sought the royal Son to slay,
Who rather should have to come to kneel and pray
In Bethlehem.

The star went leading on from east to west:
The wise men followed, till they saw it rest
In Bethlehem.

Their frankincense and myrrh, and gold they bring,
To hail the God, the Mortal, and the King
In Bethlehem.

With threefold gifts the Threefold God three praise,
Who thus vouchsafed the sons of man raise,
In Bethlehem.

From Heaven above to earth I come,
To bear good news to every home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I now will say and sing.

To you, this night, is born a Child
Of Mary, chosen mother mild;
This little Child, of lowly birth,
Shall be the joy of all your earth.

’Tis Christ our God, who far on high
Had heard your sad and bitter cry;
Himself will your Salvation be,
Himself from sin will make you free.

He brings those blessings, long ago
Prepared by God for all below;
Henceforth His kingdom open stands
To you, as to the angel bands.

These are the tokens ye shall mark,
The swaddling clothes and manger dark;
There shall ye find the young Child laid,
By whom the heavens and earth were made.

Now let us all, with gladsome cheer
Follow the shepherds, and draw near
To see this wondrous gift of God,
Who hath His only Son bestowed.

Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes!
Who is it in yon manger lies?
Who is this Child so young and fair?
The blessèd Christ-child lieth there.

Welcome to earth, Thou noble Guest,
Through Whom e’en wicked men are blest!
Thou com’st to share our misery,
What can we render, Lord, to Thee!

Ah, Lord, who hast created all,
How hast Thou made Thee weak and small,
That Thou must choose Thy infant bed
Where ass and ox but lately fed!

Were earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
She yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.

For velvets soft and silken stuff
Thou hast but hay and straw so rough,
Whereon Thou King, so rich and great,
As ’twere Thy heaven, art throned in state.

Thus hath it pleased Thee to make plain
The truth to us poor fools and vain,
That this world’s honor, wealth and might
Are naught and worthless in Thy sight.