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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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—

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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,

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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,

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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 pious mirth,
A glad New Year to all the earth.

From highest Heaven, on joyous wing,
I come to you good news to bring;
Good news I bring, a plenteous store,
Whereof my song shall tell you more.

For unto you, this happy morn,
Of virgin meek and pure, is born
A holy Child, a gentle Boy,
To be your bliss and chiefest joy.

It is the Christ, our God indeed,
The very help poor sinners need;
He will Himself your Savior be,
From sin and sorrow set you free.

To you the blessedness He bears,
Which God the Father’s love prepares,
That in His heavenly kingdom blest,
You may with us for ever rest.

So mark ye well the signs I show,
The swaddling bands, the manger low;
There shall ye find the young Child laid,
By whom the universe was made.

Then let us all right merry be,
And with the shepherds go and see
The gift which God to us hath given,
His own dear Son sent down from Heaven.

Mark thou, my heart, look well mine eyes,
What yonder in the manger lies!
What Child is that so wondrous fair?
The little Jesus lieth there.

Welcome, thrice welcome, noble Guest!
The sinner’s friend, the mourner’s rest;
For coming thus to grief and me,
How can I thank Thee worthily?

Ah! mighty Lord, who madest all,
How couldst Thou make Thyself so small,
To lie upon the coarse dry grass,
The food of humble ox and ass?

And were the world ten times as wide,
With gold and jewels beautified,
It would be far too small to be
A little cradle, Lord, for Thee?

Thy silk and velvet are coarse hay,
Thy swaddling bands the mean array,
With which e’en Thou, a King so great,
Art clad as with a robe of state.

And thus, perhaps, it pleaseth Thee
To make this truth quite plain to me,
That worldly honor, wealth, and might
Are mean and worthless in Thy sight.

Ah! Jesus, lay Thy gentle head,
And make Thyself a clean, soft bed
Here in the corner of my heart,
That I and Thou may never part.

So will I ever joyful be,
And sing and dance right merrily,
As mothers sing, the cradle nigh,
Their sweetest, softest lullaby.

Now praise we God on His high throne,
Who giveth us His only Son!
Such the good news the angels bring,
Such the new year of which they sing.

Glad tidings! glad tidings! O wonderful love!
A message has come from our Father above;
’Tis Jesus who brought it to young and to old,
A message of mercy more precious than gold.

Refrain

Glad tidings, glad tidings!
O wonderful, wonderful, wonderful love!
Glad tidings, glad tidings!
We hail the glad tidings of wonderful love.

He saith to the weary, O come unto Me;
The poor and the lowly His glory may see;
He blesseth the meek with His soul-cheering voice;
He comforts the mourners and bids them rejoice.

Refrain

How happy are they who believe in the Lord,
And love the sweet counsel they find in His Word!
Be ready to hear, and be swift to obey,
And follow His steps in the bright shining way.

Refrain

Glorious Yuletide, glad bells proclaim it,
Children extol its joys in jubilant throng.
Come, all ye people, join in our gladness,
Loud ring our praises in sacred song.

Onward to Bethlehem, follow the shepherds,
Gather around the lowly manger and stall.
Join with the angels, welcome the Savior
Born in the flesh to be Lord of all.

Onward to Bethlehem, follow the wise men,
Come from afar with their gifts and homage to bring.
Sweeter than incense, prized more than jewels,
Hearts true and loyal unto the King!

God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.

Refrain

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.

In Bethlehem, in Israel, this blessèd Babe was born,
And laid within a manger upon this blessèd morn;
The which His mother Mary did nothing take in scorn.

Refrain

From God our heavenly Father a blessèd angel came;
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name.

Refrain

“Fear not, then,” said the angel, “Let nothing you afright
This day is born a Savior of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s power and might.”

Refrain

The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding in tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethl’em straightaway this blessèd Babe to find.

Refrain

But when to Bethlehem they came where our dear Savior lay,
They found Him in a manger where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling unto the Lord did pray.

Refrain

Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface.

Refrain

God bless the ruler of this house, and send him long to reign,
And many a merry Christmas may live to see again;
Among your friends and kindred that live both far and near—

That God send you a happy new year, happy new year,
And God send you a happy new year.

Hark! hark!—the notes of joy
Roll o’er the heavenly plains,
And seraphs find employ
For their sublimest strains;
Some new delight in heaven is known,
Loud sound the harps around the throne.

Hark! hark!—the sounds draw nigh,
The joyful hosts descend;
Jesus forsakes the sky,
To earth His footsteps bend;
He comes to bless our fallen race;
He comes with messages of grace.

Bear, bear the tidings round;
Let every mortal know
What love in God is found,
What pity He can show;
Ye winds that blow! ye waves that roll!
Bear the glad news from pole to pole.

Strike, strike the harps again,
To great Immanuel’s Name;
Arise, ye sons of men!
And all His grace proclaim;
Angels and men! wake every string
’Tis God the Savior’s praise we sing.

Here is joy for every age,
Every generation;
Prince and peasant, chief and sage,
Every tongue and nation;
Every tongue and nation,
Every rank and station,
Hath today salvation:
Alleluia!

When the world drew near its close,
Came our Lord and Savior;
From the Lily sprang the Rose,
From the Bush the Cedar;
From the Bush the Cedar,
From the judged the Pleader,
From the faint the Feeder:
Alleluia!

God, that came on earth this morn,
In a manger lying,
Hallowed birth by being born,
Vanquished death by dying;
Vanquished death by dying,
Rallied back the flying,
Ended sin and sighing:
Alleluia!

Joy bells are ringing,
Christmas is bringing
Tidings of Jesus’ birth.
Candles are gleaming,
Gladness is streaming
Out over all the earth.

Light is ascending,
Nighttime is ending,
Sunshine from God appears.
Hope of the ages,
Foretold by sages,
Comes to dispel all fears.

O what a treasure
God in His pleasure
Lovingly gives today.
Grace to the lowly,
Peace, pure and holy,
Angels to men convey.

Come to the manger,
Kindred and stranger,
Hail now the newborn King!
In adoration
With jubilation
Peoples and nations sing!

Banish all sadness,
Fill me with gladness,
Jesus, whom I adore!
All else may perish,
Thee will I cherish
Now and forevermore!

Joy fills our inmost hearts today!
The royal Child is born:
And angel hosts in glad array
His advent keep this morn.

Rejoice, rejoice! Th’incarnate Word
Has come on earth to dwell;
No sweeter sound than this is heard
Emmanuel!

Low at the cradle throne we bend,
We wonder and adore;
And feel no bliss can ours transcend,
No joy was sweet before.

Refrain

For us the world must lose its charms
Before the manger shrine,
When, folded in Thy mother’s arms,
We see Thee, Babe divine.

Refrain

Thou Light of uncreated Light,
Shine on us, holy Child;
That we may keep Thy birthday bright,
With service undefiled.

Refrain

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Let sighing cease and woe
God from on high hath heard,
Heaven’s gate is opening wide, and lo!
The long expected Word.

Peace! through the deep of night
The heavenly choir breaks forth,
Singing, with festal songs and bright,
Our God and Savior’s birth.

The cave of Bethlehem
Those wakeful shepherds seek;
Let us too rise and greet with them
That infant pure and meek.

We enter—at the door
What marvel meets the eye?
A crib, a mother pale and poor,
A child of poverty.

Art Thou the eternal Son,
The eternal Father’s ray?
Whose little hand, Thou infant one,
Doth lift the world alway?

Yea—faith through that dim cloud,
Like lightning darts before,
And greets Thee, at Whose footstool bowed
Heaven’s trembling hosts adore.

Chaste be our love like Thine,
Our swelling souls bring low,
And in our hearts, O Babe divine
Be born, abide and grow.

So shall Thy birthday morn,
Lord Christ, our birthday be,
Then greet we all, ourselves newborn,
Our King’s nativity.

On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring;
On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring:
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our merciful King’s birth.

Then why should men on earth be sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad:
Then why should we on earth be sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad:
When from our sin He set us free,
All for to gain our liberty.

When sin departs before Your grace,
Then life and health come in its place;
When sin departs before Your grace,
Then life and health come in its place;
Angels and men with joy may sing,
All for to see the newborn King.

All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night;
All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night:
“Glory to God and peace to men,
Now and forevermore. Amen.”

On Judah’s plains as shepherds sat,
Watching their flocks by night,
The angel of the Lord appeared,
Clad in celestial light.

Awe struck the vision they regard,
Appalled with trembling fear;
When thus a cherub voice divine
Breathed sweetly on their ear.

“Shepherds of Judah! cease your fears,
And calm your troubled mind;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.

“This day almighty Love fulfills
Its great eternal Word;
This day is born in Bethlehem
A Savior, Christ the Lord.

“There shall you find the heavenly Babe
In humblest weeds arrayed;
All meanly wrapped in swaddling clothes
And in a manger laid.”

He ceased, and sudden all around
Appeared a radiant throng
Of angels, praising God, and thus
Warbling their choral song.

“Glory to God, from Whom on high
All gracious mercies flow!
Who sends His Heav’n descended Peace
To dwell with man below.”

Joy is in our message!
Peal the Christmas bells!
Joy, great joy re-echoes
From the glory in the story
Which our chimes are telling,
As the music swells;
Ringing, ringing, new joy bringing,
Peal the Christmas bells.

Refrain

To every land in anthem grand,
From the northern icy tow’rs
To the sunset land of flow’rs;
O’er every sea, to the bond and free,
We repeat the song of angel throng;
The Savior now is ours!

Peace we softly echo
In our silvery chime,
O’er the world’s great midnight
Softly stealing, sweetly pealing,
Glorious news we’re bringing
At the Christmas time!
Now increasing, never ceasing,
In our song sublime.

Refrain

Now good will we’re sounding,
In a mighty strain!
Like the angel chorus
From the glory with the story,
Sung that Christmas morning
Over Bethle’em’s plain;
Swelling, sounding, still resounding,
As we peal again.

Refrain

Rejoice, rejoice, ye Christians, with all your heart this morn!
O hear the blessèd tidings, the Lord, the Christ is born,
Now brought us by the angels that stand about God’s throne;
O lovely are the voices that make such tidings known!

O hearken to their singing! This Child shall be your Friend;
The Father so hath willed it, that thus your woes should end.
The Son is freely given, that in Him ye may have
The Father’s grace and blessing, and know He loves to save.

Nor deem the form too lowly that clothes Him at this hour;
For know ye what it hideth? ’Tis God’s almighty power.
Though now within the manger so poor and weak He lies,
He is the Lord of all things, He reigns above the skies.

Sin, death, and hell, and Satan have lost the victory;
This Child shall overthrow them, as ye shall surely see;
Their wrath shall aught avail them; fear not, their reign is o’er;
This Child shall overthrow them; Oh hear and doubt no more.

Royal day that chasest gloom!
Day by gladness speeded!
Thou beheld’st from Mary’s womb
How the King proceeded;
Whom, true Man, with praise our choir
Hails, and love, and heart’s desire,
Joy and admiration;
Who, true God, enthroned in light,
Passeth wonder, passeth sight,
Passeth cogitation.

On the virgin as He hung,
God, the world’s Creator,
Like a rose from lily sprung—
Stood astounded nature:
That a maiden’s arms enfold
Him that make the world of old,
Him that ever liveth:
That a maiden’s spotless breast
To the King eternal rest,
Warmth and nurture, giveth!

As the sunbeam through the glass
Passeth, but not staineth,
Thus the virgin, as she was,
Virgin still remaineth:
Blessèd mother, in whose womb
Lay the light that exiles gloom,
God, the Lord of ages;
Blessèd maid! from whom the Lord,
Her own Infant, God adored,
Hunger’s pains assuages.

“Shepherds, rejoice! lift up your eyes,
And send your fears away;
News from the regions of the skies,
Salvation’s born today.

“Jesus, the God Whom angels fear,
Comes down to dwell with you;
Today He makes His entrance here,
But not as monarchs do.

“No gold nor purple swaddling bands.
Nor royal shining things;
A manger for His cradle stands,
And holds the King of kings.

“Go, shepherds, where the Infant lies,
And see His humble throne
With tears of joy in all your eyes,
Go, shepherds, kiss the Son.”

Thus Gabriel sang, and straight around
The heav’nly armies throng;
They tune their harps to lofty sound,
And thus conclude the song:

“Glory to God that reigns above!
Let peace surround the earth!
Mortals shall know their Maker’s love,
At their Redeemer’s birth.”

Lord, and shall angels have their songs,
And men no tunes to raise?
O may we lose our useless tongues
When they forget to praise.

Glory to God that reigns above,
That pitied us forlorn;
We join to sing our Maker’s love,
For there’s a Savior born.

Shepherds, what joyful tidings
Have made you sing and play?
Long have we been awaiting
The Lamb that came today.
Cherubim, seraphim sang to us merrily,
“Fear not, but hurry ye over to Bethlehem.”

When they drew near the stable
They saw the newborn Child
Lain on straw in the manger
Like lamb on upland wild
Tearful His tiny lids wavered with shuddering,
Cold was the welcome they gave Him in Bethlehem.

Sweetly He slept and slumbered,
In Mary’s arms so mild,
Shepherds humbly adored Him
And Mary then replied,
“Back to your fold, carry peace and tranquility,
My little Son gives you peace and love evermore.”

Refrain

Shout the glad tidings, exultingly sing,
Jerusalem triumphs, Messiah is King!

Zion, the marvelous story be telling,
The Son of the Highest, how lowly His birth!
The brightest archangel in glory excelling,
He stoops to redeem thee, He reigns upon earth.

Refrain

Tell how He cometh; from nation to nation
The heart cheering news let the earth echo round;
How free to the faithful He offers salvation,
His people with joy everlasting are crowned.

Refrain

Mortals, your homage be gratefully bringing,
And sweet let the gladsome hosannas arise;
Ye angels, the full alleluias be singing;
One chorus resound through the earth and the skies.

Refrain

Messiah is King!

When Jesus was born in the manger
The shepherds came thither to see,
For the angels proclaimed that a Savior was born
To save a poor sinner like me.
To save a poor sinner,
To save a poor sinner,
To save a poor sinner like me.
For the angels proclaimed that a Savior was born
To save a poor sinner like me.

He was wounded for my transgressions,
Acquainted with sorrow was He;
In the garden He prayed, and sweat great drops of blood,
To save a poor sinner like me.
To save a poor sinner,
To save a poor sinner,
To save a poor sinner like me.
In the garden He prayed, and sweat great drops of blood,
To save a poor sinner like me.

He was brought to Pilate for judgment,
He was sentenced to hang on a tree.
?It is finished!? He cried, when He suffered and died
To save a poor sinner like me.
To save a poor sinner,
To save a poor sinner,
To save a poor sinner like me.
“It is finished!” He cried, when He suffered and died
To save a poor sinner like me.

But death and the grave could not hold Him,
He burst them asunder for thee.
On the third day He rose, in spite of His foes,
To save a poor sinner like me.
To save a poor sinner,
To save a poor sinner,
To save a poor sinner like me.
On the third day He rose, in spite of His foes,
To save a poor sinner like me.

I’m fighting my passage to Heaven,
O’er death I shall conqueror be.
Then to glory I’ll fly, and shout through the sky:
He saved a poor sinner like me.
To save a poor sinner,
To save a poor sinner,
To save a poor sinner like me.
Then to glory I’ll fly, and shout through the sky:
He saved a poor sinner like me.

We Christians may rejoice today
When Christ was born to comfort and to save us.
Who thus believes no longer grieves,
For none are lost who grasp the hope He gave us.

Oh, wondrous joy that God most high
Should take our flesh and thus our race should honor!
A virgin mild hath borne this Child;
Such grace and glory God hath put upon her.

Sin brought us grief, but Christ relief,
When down to earth He came for our salvation.
Since God with us is dwelling thus,
Who dares to speak the Christian’s condemnation?

The hither throng with happy song
To Him Whose birth and death are our assurance;
Through Whom are we at last set free
From sins and burdens that surpassed endurance.

Yea, let us praise our God and raise
Loud hallelujahs to the skies above us.
The bliss bestowed today by God
To ceaseless thankfulness and joy should move us.

We’ve been told a joyful thing,
News for all the nations.
Angels have been heard to sing
Round the shepherd stations,
One intoned the “Gloria,”
Others “Alleluia”;
Peace to all things human;
War no more for true man.

Up and get you quickly there
Folk of field and village!
Over to that stable bare
Up beyond the tillage.
There you’ll find a Baby born
Old before His mother’s morn
Young with dewy splendor
Of parent stem so tender.

So we come to pay our vows:
Hail! God save thee, Mary!
Joseph, man of this poor house,
Fortune seems contrary.
Let us look on Christ the Lord,
That was sure the angel’s word.
Swathèd in a manger,
Welcome, Holy Stranger!

Whispering winds softly sighing, daylight dying,
Stars thro’ the low-bending heavens slowly creep;
Fluttering wings of the angels swift descending,
Beautiful chorals awaking earth from sleep.

Refrain

Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the holy.
Hallelujah, sing unto His Name;
Now and evermore the same,
Hail Him with gladness, His pow’r proclaim.

Lullabies tenderly swelling, sweetly telling,
Jesus the promised Messiah, draweth near;
Hushed into wondering silence, shepherds listen,
Glory light streaming around them, bright and clear.

Refrain

Silvery echoes are ringing, good news bringing,
Blending with songs of the angels far away,
Breathing their story of gladness through the stillness,
Hail to the Savior most holy, born today.

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Ye Christian heralds, go proclaim
Salvation through Emmanuel’s Name;
To distant climes the tidings bear,
And plant the Rose of Sharon there.

Ruler of worlds, display Thy power,
Be this Thy Zion’s favored hour;
Bid the bright morning star arise,
And point the nations to the skies.

Set up Thy throne where Satan reigns,
On Afric shores, on India’s plains;
On wilds and continents unknown,
And be the universe Thine own!

Speak and the world shall hear Thy voice;
Speak and the deserts shall rejoice!
Scatter the shades of mortal night;
Let worthless idols flee the light!

Trusting in Him, dear brethren, rear
The Gospel standard void of fear;
Go seek with joy your destined shore,
To view your native land no more.

God shield you with a wall of fire,
With flaming zeal your breasts inspire,
Bid raging winds their fury cease,
And hush the tumult into peace.

And when our labors are all o’er,
Then we shall meet to part no more;
Meet with the blood bought throng to fall,
And crown our Jesus, Lord of all!

Ye simple men of heart sincere,
Shepherds who watch your flocks by night,
Start not to see an angel near,
Nor tremble at this glorious light.

“A herald from the heavenly King,
I come, your every fear to chase;
Good tidings of great joy I bring,
Great joy to all the fallen race.

“To you is born on this glad day,
A Savior by our host adored;
Our God in Bethlehem survey,
Make haste to worship Christ the Lord.

“By this the Savior of mankind,
Th’incarnate God shall be displayed;
The Babe ye wrapped in swaths shall find,
And humbly in a manger laid.”

All my heart this night rejoices,
As I hear, far and near, sweetest angel voices;
“Christ is born,” their choirs are singing,
Till the air, everywhere, now their joy is ringing.

For it dawns, the promised morrow
Of His birth, who the earth rescues from her sorrow.
God to wear our form descendeth;
Of His grace to our race here His Son He sendeth.

Yea, so truly for us careth,
That His Son, all we’ve done, as our offering beareth;
As our Lamb Who, dying for us,
Bears our load, and to God, doeth in peace restore us.

Hark! a voice from yonder manger,
Soft and sweet, doth entreat, “Flee from woe and danger;
Brethren, come; from all that grieves you
You are freed; all you need I will surely give you.”

Come, then, let us hasten yonder;
Here let all, great and small, kneel in awe and wonder,
Love Him Who with love is yearning;
Hail the star that from far bright with hope is burning.

Ye who pine in weary sadness,
Weep no more, for the door now is found of gladness.
Cling to Him, for He will guide you
Where no cross, pain or loss, can again betide you.

Hither come, ye poor and wretched:
Know His will is to fill every hand outstretchèd;
Here are riches without measure,
Here forget all regret, fill your hearts with treasure.

Blessèd Savior, let me find Thee!
Keep Thou me close to Thee, cast me not behind Thee!
Life of life, my heart Thou stillest,
Calm I rest on Thy breast, all this void Thou fillest.

Thee, dear Lord, with heed I’ll cherish;
Live to Thee and with Thee, dying, shall not perish;
But shall dwell with Thee for ever,
Far on high, in the joy that can alter never.

Forth today the Conqueror goeth,
Who the foe, sin and woe, death and hell, o’erthroweth.
God is man, man to deliver;
His dear Son now is one with our blood forever.

Shall we still dread God’s displeasure,
Who, to save, freely gave His most cherished Treasure?
To redeem us, He hath given
His own Son from the throne of His might in Heaven.

Should He who Himself imparted
Aught withhold from the fold, leave us broken hearted?
Should the Son of God not love us,
Who, to cheer sufferers here, left His throne above us?

If our blessèd Lord and Maker
Hated men, would He then be of flesh partaker?
If He in our woe delighted,
Would He bear all the care of our race benighted?

He becomes the Lamb that taketh
Sin away and for aye full atonement maketh.
For our life His own He tenders
And our race, by His grace, meet for glory renders.

All my heart with joy is springing,
While in air everywhere
Angel choirs are singing.
Hear them to the shepherds telling:
“Christ is born! On this morn
God with man is dwelling.”

To this lower world descendeth,
From above, He whose love
All our sorrows endeth.
He who breath and being gave us,
Quits the skies, lives and dies
In our flesh to save us.

Christ our Lamb so meek and loving
Dries our tears, calms our fears,
All our sins removing;
Christ our Lamb, who suffers with us;
He can quell death and hell,
And to peace restore us.

Hark, from yon dark manger lowly,
Breezes soft seem to waft
Gentle words and holy:
“Sigh no more, away with sadness
Brethren dear; I am here,
Bringing hope and gladness.”

Come ye now, and kneel before Him;
Mortals all, great and small,
Worship and adore Him:
Love your King, whose love invites you:
Lo, His star from afar
To His dwelling lights you.

Ye, whom galling want oppresses
Here ye find comfort kind,
Balm for your distresses:
Noblest treasures here are given;
Riches true wait for you
Poor of Christ, in Heaven.

Kind Redeemer, knit Thee to us;
Quelling sin, reign within,
With Thy grace renew us:
Make us Thine by true repentance;
Let us hear, free from fear,
Lord, Thy final sentence.

Ours be Thy pure love, O Savior,
Ours Thy faith, strong in death,
Ours Thy meek behavior;
Here let us, on Thee depending,
In Thee die, with Thee fly
To the bliss unending.

A Babe is born, all of a maid,
To bring salvation unto us;
No more are we to sing afraid,
Veni Creator Spiritus.

At Bethlehem, that blessèd place,
The Child of bliss then born He was;
Him aye to serve, God give us grace,
O Lux beata Trinitas.

There came three kings out of the East,
To worship there that King so free;
With gold and myrrh and frankincense,
A solis ortus cardine.

The shepherds heard an angel cry,
A merry song that night sang he,
“Why are ye all so sore aghast?”
Iam lucis orto sidere.

The angel came down with a cry,
A fair and joyful song sang he,
All in the worship of that Child,
Gloria Tibi Domine.

A Babe is born in Bethlehem, Bethlehem,
Therefore rejoice Jerusalem,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Within a manger He doth lie, He doth lie,
Whose throne is set above the sky.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Stillness was all the manger round, manger round,
The creature its Creator found.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The wise men came, led by the star, by the star,
Gold, myrrh, and incense brought from far.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

His mother is the virgin mild, virgin mild,
And He the Father’s only Child.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The serpent’s wound He beareth not, beareth not,
Yet takes our blood, and shares our lot,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Our human flesh He enters in, enters in,
But bears no single taint of sin.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

To fallen man Himself He bowed, self He bowed,
That He might lift us up to God.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

On this most blessèd Jubilee, Jubilee,
All glory be, O God, to Thee.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

O Holy Three, we Thee adore, Thee adore,
This day, henceforth, forevermore.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Bring a torch, come swiftly and run.
Christ is born, tell the folk of the village,
Jesus is sleeping in His cradle,
Ah, ah, beautiful is the mother,
Ah, ah, beautiful is her Son.

Hasten now, good folk of the village,
Hasten now, the Christ Child to see.
You will find Him asleep in a manger,
Quietly come and whisper softly,
Hush, hush, peacefully now He slumbers,
Hush, hush, peacefully now He sleeps.

Carol, sweetly carol,
A Savior born today;
Bear the joyful tidings,
Oh, bear them far away:
Carol, sweetly carol,
Till earth’s remotest bound
Shall hear the mighty chorus,
And echo back the sound.

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Carol, sweetly carol,
Carol, sweetly today;
Bear the joyful tidings,
Oh, bear them far away.

Carol, sweetly carol,
As when the angel throng
O’er the vales of Judah
Awoke the heavenly song:
Carol, sweetly carol,
Goodwill, and peace, and love,
Glory in the highest
To God Who reigns above.

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Carol, sweetly carol,
The happy Christmas time:
Hark! the bells are pealing
Their merry, merry chime:
Carol, sweetly carol
Ye shining ones above,
Sing in loudest numbers
Oh, sing redeeming love.

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A Child this day is born,
A Child of high renown.
Most worthy of a scepter,
A scepter and a crown.

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Noëls, noëls, noëls,
Noëls sing all we may,
Because the King of all kings
Was born this blessèd day.

The which the holy prophets
Spoke of long time before,
That from the fall of Adam
He should us all restore.

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This Child both God and Man
From Heaven down to us came,
He is the King of all Kings,
And Jesus is His Name.

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These tidings shepherds heard
In their field watching their fold,
Was by an angel unto them
That night revealed and told.

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Who standing near by them
To them shinèd so bright,
That they amazèd were
At that most glorious sight.

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To whom the angel spoke,
Saying, “Be not afraid;
Be glad, poor silly shepherds;
Why are you so dismayed?”

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“For lo, I bring you tidings
Of gladness and of mirth,
Which cometh to all people by
This holy Infant’s birth.”

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“Him hath God lifted up
As light and shepherd’s horn,
Which in the city of David
This present time was born.”

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“The only Son of God was He
The Lord and God most highest;
And He is the true Shepherd,
The young Child Jesus Christ.”

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Then there was with the angel
A host incontinent
Of heavenly bright soldiers,
Which from the Highest was sent.

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Lauding the Lord our God,
And His celestial King;
“All glory be in paradise,”
This heavenly host did sing.

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“Glory be unto our God,
That sitteth still on high,
With praises and with triumph great,
And joyful melody.”

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But when this holy army
Of heavenly soldiers bright
Was unto God returnèd
And vanished out of sight;

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The shepherds hearts joyful
At this great glorious news
That the King of all kings
Was risen amongst the Jews.

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Without the least of hindrance
Anon they went in then,
And found the young Child Jesus Christ
Thus born in Bethlehem.

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And as the angel told them,
So to them did appear;
They found the young Child Jesus Christ
With Mary his mother dear.

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Now such a place it was
Where this was come to pass
For want of room this Child was laid
Betwixt an ox and ass.

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Not sumptuously, but simply
Was this young King arrayed,
A manger was the cradle
Where this young Child was laid.

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No pride at all was found
In this most holy Child,
But He being void of all sin
The Lamb of god most mild.

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His body unto bitter pains
He gave to set us free:
He is our Savior Jesus Christ
And none but only He.

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To Father, Son and Holy Ghost
All glory be therefore,
To Whom be all dominion
Both now and evermore.

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Christians, carol sweetly, up today and sing!
’Tis the happy birthday of our holy King:
Haste we then to greet Him, humbly falling down,
While our hands entwine Him, dearest Babe, a crown.

Crowds of snow-white angels throng the golden stair;
All things are delightful, all things passing fair;
Bells, clear music making, peal the news to earth;
Chimes within make answer, all is glee and mirth.

Michael, at the manger, bows his royal face;
Gabriel, with lily, hides transcendent grace:
For, dear friends, the glory of that lowly bed
Overpowers the beauty on archangels shed.

Shall I tell of Joseph, who, with rapt surprise,
Sees the light from Godhead fill those infant eyes?
Shall I sing of Mary, who, upon her breast,
Cradles her Creator, soothes Him to His rest?

Angels, Mary, Joseph, yes, I greet you all!
Falling down in worship at the manger stall!
For you hail our Monarch, born a Child today;
So with you I worship and my homage pay.

Come hither, ye children, O come one and all,
To Bethlehem haste, to the manger so small;
God’s Son for a gift has been sent you this night
To be your Redeemer, your joy and delight.

He’s born in a stable for you and for me,
Draw near by the bright gleaming starlight to see,
In swaddling clothes lying, so meek and so mild,
And purer than angels—the heavenly Child.

See Mary and Joseph with love-beaming eyes
Are gazing upon the rude bed where He lies;
The shepherds are kneeling, with hearts full of love,
While angels sing loud hallelujahs above.

Kneel down and adore Him with shepherds today,
Lift up little hands now and praise Him as they;
Rejoice that a Savior from sin you can boast,
And join in the song of the heavenly host.

O Jesus, my Savior, what must not be done,
What must not be suffered for sin to atone!
From infancy sorrow and pain Thou must know
Till Thou on the cross tasteth death’s bitter woe.

Dear Christ Child, what gifts can we children bestow,
By which our affection and gladness to show?
No riches and treasures of value can be,
But hearts that believe are accepted with Thee.

Our hearts, then, to Thee we will offer today,
We offer them gladly; accept them we pray,
And make them so spotless and pure that we may
Abide in Thy presence in Heaven for aye.

Come hither, ye faithful,
Triumphantly sing!
Come, see in the manger,
The angels’ dread King!

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To Bethlehem hasten with joyful accord!
O come ye, come hither, O come ye, come hither,
O come ye, come hither to worship the Lord.

True Son of the Father,
He comes from the skies;
To be born of a virgin
He doth not despise.

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Hark! hark! to the angels!
All singing in Heav’n,
“To God in the highest
All glory be given!”

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To Thee, then, O Jesu, this day of Thy birth,
Be glory and honor through heaven and earth
True Godhead incarnate! Omnipotent Word!
O come let us hasten, O come let us hasten,
O come let us hasten, to worship the Lord!

Come, listen to my story,
Christus natus hodie:
Born is the King of glory,
Rex de Virgine.
Nowell, Nowell, good news I tell,
God comes on earth a stranger:
Eya! Emmanuel
Lies cradled in a manger.

Came angels down, a number,
On the midnight of His birth:
“Ye shepherds, wake from slumber:
Peace, goodwill on earth,
And bliss on high,” the angels cry,
“To you is born and given,
Eya! of maid Marie,
Th’almighty Lord of Heaven.”

Then rode three kings together,
Over desert, hill, and dale:
Nought caring for the weather,
Sleet, and snow, and hail.
They came from far, led by a star,
With beams that never vary:
Eya! full fain they are
To see the Babe of Mary.

Away then banish sorrow;
Nato Regi psallite;
Sith Christ is born this morrow,
Benedicte.
With angels eke and shepherds meek,
And with yon eastern sages,
Eya! let us go seek
The newborn King of ages.

Come, shepherds, come! shake off your sleep,
And ope your weary eyes;
’Tis time to leave your folded sheep,
Come, shepherds, come, arise!
Hark! angels clad in bright array,
Burst forth in heav’nly song;
See! night grows brighter than the day,
Lit by their glistening throng.

Around the hut wherein I slept
A gleam of light was seen.
And golden strings of harps were swept
By angels clad in sheen.
What sounds of joy the air then stirred!
What hymns of holy rest!
In terra pax above I heard
And Christus natus est.

We, too, this welcome news did hear
From angels in the air,
They bade us cast away all fear,
And to the town repair.
We hastened to the humble stall,
The Holy Child we sought;
On bended knee each one did fall,
And humble offerings brought.

Then know, all friends, who wish to see
Your sweet Redeemer’s face,
Though long, the way full short will be,
If ye but ask His grace.
No thorns your faithful steps shall stay
And light will shine around;
All doubts and fears will pass away
When Jesus Christ is found.

I sing the birth was born tonight,
The Author both of life and light;
The angels so did sound it,
And like the ravished shepherds said,
Who saw the light, and were afraid,
Yet searched, and true they found it.

The Son of God, th’eternal King,
That did us all salvation bring,
And freed the soul from danger;
He Whom the whole world could not take,
The Word, which Heaven and earth did make,
Was now laid in a manger.

The Father’s wisdom willed it so,
The Son’s obedience knew no “No,”
Both wills were in one stature;
And as that wisdom had decreed,
The Word was now made Flesh indeed,
And took on Him our nature.

What comfort by Him do we win?
Who made Himself the Prince of sin,
To make us heirs of glory?
To see this Babe, all innocence,
A Martyr born in our defense,
Can man forget this story?

The joyful morn is breaking, the brightest morn on earth,
Through all creation waking the joy of Jesus’ birth.
His star above is glistening, where Jesus cradled lies,
And all the earth is listening, the carol of the skies.

High strains of praise are swelling, from angel hosts on high,
And one soft voice is telling glad tidings from the sky;
Tidings of free salvation, of peace on earth below,
Through every land and nation, the blessèd word shall go.

His children’s songs shall name Him in many a tongue today;
His Church shall yet proclaim Him to people far away;
Till idols fall before Him, till strife and wrong shall cease,
Till all the earth adore Him, th’eternal Prince of Peace.

Like silver lamps in a distant shrine,
The stars are sparkling bright;
The bells of the city of God ring out,
For the Son of Mary is born tonight.
The gloom is past, and the morn at last
Is coming with orient light.

No earthly songs are half so sweet
As those which are filling the skies,
And never a palace shone half so fair
As the manger-bed where our Savior lies;
No night in the year is half so dear
As this which has ended our sighs.

The stars of heaven still shine as at first
They gleamed on this wonderful night,
The bells of the city of God peal out,
And the angels’ song still rings in the height,
And loves still turns where the Godhead burns,
Hid in flesh from fleshly sight.

Faith sees no longer the stable floor,
The pavement of sapphire is there,
The clear light of Heaven streams out to the world,
And the angels of God are crowding the air,
And Heaven and earth, thro’ the spotless birth,
Are at peace on this night so fair.

A little Child is born tonight,
And He shall lead His own,
To endless day, to glory bright,
To lands of everlasting light,
And to our Father’s throne.
A little Child is born tonight,
And in the starry sky,
To Him the angels carols bring:
”Good will and peace to men,” they sing,
”Glory to God on high,
Glory to God on high.“

A little Child is born tonight,
And shepherds haste to see
Their God and King in infant form,
And worship with their true hearts warm,
The Christ on bended knee.
A little Child is born tonight,
And wise men from afar
Follow afresh that wondrous light,
That gloweth in the heav’nly height,
The Savior’s morning star,
The Savior’s morning star.

A little Child is born tonight,
To hearts for long years lone,
To Anna, widow, Simeon, sage
Their Star of childhood, joy of age,
For evermore their own.
A little Child is born tonight,
O come ye, one and all,
And hail in faith, and hope, and love,
The Child Who left his throne above,
To lie in yonder stall,
To lie in yonder stall.

Make thee ready, as best thou art able,
Little Bethlehem, garnish the bed,
Tho’ it be but a crib in a stable,
Where the Infant may pillow His head,
Where the Infant may pillow His head.

Type and shadow of yore are now ended;
Lo, the substance is come, as I ken;
Truth Incarnate to earth is descended,
God hath pitchèd His tent among men.
God hath pitchèd His tent among men.

He is past through the virginal portal;
The Invisible doth not decline
To be found in the fashion of mortal,
For to make human nature divine,
For to make human nature divine.

Wherefore Adam and Eva, forgiven
Their iniquity cry, “By the grace
And goodwill of our Lord are we shriven;
Seen of men, He doth ransom our race;
Seen of men, He doth ransom our race.”

On the birthday of the Lord
Angels joy in glad accord,
And they sing in sweetest tone,
Glory be to God alone,
Glory be to God alone.

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God is born of maiden fair,
Mary doth the Savior bear;
Mary ever pure, Mary ever pure.

These good news an angel told
To the shepherds by their fold,
Told them of the Savior’s birth,
Told them of the joy for earth,
Told them of the joy for earth.

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Born is now Emmanuel,
He, announced by Gabriel,
He, whom prophets old attest,
Cometh from His Father’s breast,
Cometh from His Father’s breast.

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Born today is Christ the Child,
Born of Mary undefiled,
Born the King and Lord we own;
Glory be to God alone,
Glory be to God alone.

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Praise God the Lord, ye sons of men,
Before His highest throne;
Today He opens Heav’n again
And gives us His own Son.

He leaves His heav’nly Father’s throne
Is born an Infant small,
And in a manger, poor and lone,
Lies in a humble stall.

He veils in flesh His power divine
A servant’s form to take;
In want and lowliness must pine
Who Heav’n and earth did make.

He nestles at His mother’s breast,
Receives her tender care,
Whom angels hail with joy most blest,
King David’s royal Heir.

’Tis He who in these latter days
From Judah’s tribe should come,
By Whom the Father would upraise
The Church, His Christendom.

A wondrous change which He does make!
He takes our flesh and blood,
And He conceals for sinners’ sake
His majesty of God.

He serves that I a lord may be;
A great exchange indeed!
Could Jesus’ love do more for me
To help me in my need?

He opens us again the door
Of paradise today;
The angel guards the gate no more
To God our thanks we pay.

Rejoice, rejoice this happy morn,
A Savior unto us is born,
The Christ the Lord of Glory.
His lowly birth in Bethlehem
The angels from on high proclaim
And sing redemption’s story.
My soul, extol God’s great favor,
Bless Him ever for salvation.
Give Him praise and adoration.

Ring, merry bells, this day is born a King;
To the waiting shepherds angels sing;
With gifts of love they journey from afar,
Guided to the manger by the star.

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Ring on, ye bells, ye merry bells,
Let sweetest anthems fill each heart with joy today;
Ring on, ye bells, ye merry bells,
Ring out the message clear,
Let all the nations hear,
Thy message brings to all good cheer,
This happy Christmas Day.

Ring, bells of Christmas! Merrily ye chime,
Send your notes of joy to every clime.
Drive out the darkness, set the burdened free,
Let the land resound with songs of glee.

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Ring on, ye bells, there’s music everywhere,
In thy merry notes we’ll lose our care;
Free from all sorrow, hearts so light and gay,
Join we in thy praise, this Christmas day.

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Ring, ring the bells, the joyful bells,
This merry Christmas morn;
Their sweet, melodious music tells
The day that Christ was born.
Sweetly they sound o’er vale and glen;
Hark! how their music swells
With “Peace on earth, good will to men!”
O merry Christmas bells!

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Ring, ring the bells, the joyful bells,
The bells, the merry, merry Christmas bells,
Ring, ring the merry Christmas bells.

Ring, ring the bells, the Christmas bells,
For in their joyous chime
Once more on earth the chorus swells
Of angel song sublime.
The sweet old story, ever new,
Falls on the heart again,
Refreshing as the early dew,
Or the soft summer rain.

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Ring, ring the bells, the Christmas bells,
Prophetic of the day
When He of whom their music tells
Shall all the nations sway;
Shall bless and fill and rule each heart,
Shall bid all sorrows cease,
And give His own the better part
Of everlasting peace.

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This blessed night we seek Your throne
In awe and wonder at that birth:
The Child of Bethlehem who brought
God’s grace and love back down to earth.

Joseph and Mary, chosen ones,
As parents to Your only Son,
In faith they trudg’d those weary miles
In order that Your will be done.

Then shepherds, high in fields above
The manger in a lowly shed,
Heard angel messengers sing out
Their “Peace on Earth, good will to men.”

Wrapped round in cloths they found the Babe
Lying at rest upon the hay.
It was for us this Child was born
And brought to us God’s bright new day.

Eternal hope for all mankind!
The price of sin You chose to pay!
O Babe of Heaven, we sing Your praise
And at Your feet our hearts we lay!

O grant us now, dear Lord, we pray,
That we might serve You as we ought.
Teach us to yield our wills to Yours
And live in peace as we’ve been taught.

This day a Child is born,
Offspring of God’s pure love,
True Word, the Everlasting,
And Wisdom from above!

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Noel, Noel, Noel!
All through the day we sing,
To greet the loving Savior,
Our Prophet, Priest and King.

This day is Jesus born,
Made flesh the Son of Man,
Who erst did reign in glory,
Before the world began!

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This day a Child is born,
Creator, King and Lord,
In majesty all glorious,
By Heav’n and earth adored.

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This day the Light has come,
Bright Beam of peace and love,
Way, Truth, and Life, sure Guidance,
To our blest home above!

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This day the Shepherd came
To shepherds in the field,
That we, His sheep, might find Him,
And He to death might yield.

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One day our Judge will come,
And all shall hear His voice;
That day, sweet Jesus, bid us,
With all Thy sheep, rejoice!

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Angel hosts in bright array—
Stars their night-watch keeping—
Earthward wend their silent way,
While the world lies sleeping.
Through the wintry clouds they glide,
On through portal hoary,
Where, the ox and ass beside,
Lies the Babe of Glory.

Refrain

Ring the bells, and sound the horn!
Shout with exultation!
Christ the Lord today is born
For the world’s salvation!

All unseen by mortal eye,
Reverent and lowly;
Prostrate there, they laud on high
Him, the Infant holy.
From their lips celestial rise
Sounds, with joy o’erflowing,
Strains upborne beyond the skies,
Hymns with rapture glowing.

Refrain

Raphäel, archangel bright!
On thine errand wending,
Forth again into the night
Mount, the clouds ascending!
Take of that, thy glittering train,
Hosts of light, dear angel!
Then descend where Bethlehem’s plain
Waits thy longed evangel!

Refrain

Hark the news the angel tells:
“Lo! An infant Stranger,
God’s dear Son among you dwells,
Born in Bethlehem’s manger!”
Bursts a chorus from the sky,
Loud from Heaven’s portal:
“Glory be to God on high,
Peace, goodwill to mortal!”

Refrain

Angel spirits earthward led,
With a hope endearing,
First to worship, first to spread
News of Christ’s appearing!
Trace we out your footfalls light,
Praise we Christ in glory,
Then waft on the tidings bright
Of the Gospel’s story!

Refrain

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.

Refrain

Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:

Refrain

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.

Refrain

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.

Refrain

Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence,
Mercy calls you; break your chains.

Refrain

Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:

Refrain

All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To th’eternal Three in One.

Refrain

Lord of Heaven, we adore Thee,
God the Father, God the Son,
God the Spirit, One in glory,
On the same eternal throne.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Lord of Heaven, Three in One.

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Refrain

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Refrain

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Refrain

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.

Refrain

Shepherds in the field abiding,
Tell us when the seraph bright
Greeted you with wondrous tiding,
What you saw and heard that night.

Refrain

We beheld—it is no fable—
God incarnate, King of bliss,
Swathed and cradled in a stable,
And the angel strain was this:

Refrain

Choristers on high were singing
Jesus and His virgin birth,
Heavenly bells the while a-ringing
“Peace, good will to men on earth.”

Refrain

Bright angel hosts are heard on high
All sweetly singing o’er the plains;
While mountains echo in reply
The burden of their joyous strains.

Say, shepherds, why this jubilee,
What doth your rapturous mirth prolong?
Say, say what may the tidings be
Which still inspire that heav’nly song?

Come, come to Bethlehem, come and see
The Child whose birth the angels sing;
Come, come, adore on bended knee
The Infant Christ, the newborn King!

See, there within a manger laid
Jesus, the Lord of Heav’n and earth!
See, saints and angels lend their aid
To celebrate the Savior’s birth!

Calm on the listening ear of night
Come heaven’s melodious strains,
Where wild Judea stretches forth
Her silver mantled plains.
Celestial choirs from courts above
Shed sacred glories there,
And angels, with their sparkling lyres,
Make music on the air.

The answering hills of Palestine
Send back the glad reply;
And greet, from all their holy heights,
The Day-Spring from on high.
O’er the blue depths of Galilee
There comes a holier calm,
And Sharon waves, in solemn praise,
Her silent groves of palm.

“Glory to God!” the lofty strain
The realm of ether fills;
How sweeps the song of solemn joy
O’er Judah’s sacred hills!
“Glory to God!” the sounding skies
Loud with their anthems ring,
“Peace to the earth; good will to men,
From heaven’s eternal King!”

Light on thy hills, Jerusalem!
The Savior now is born,
And bright on Bethlehem’s joyous plains
Breaks the first Christmas morn.
And brightly on Moriah’s brow
Crowned with her temple spires,
Which first proclaim the newborn light,
Clothed with its orient fires.

This day shall Christian tongues be mute,
And Christian hearts be cold?
Oh, catch the anthem that from Heaven
O’er Judah’s mountains rolled.
When burst upon that listening night
The high and solemn lay:
“Glory to God, on earth be peace,”
Salvation comes today!

Do you know the song that the angels sang
On that night in the long ago,
When the heavens above with their music rang
Till it echoed in the earth below?

Refrain

All glory in the highest,
Peace on earth, goodwill to men,
Glory in the highest,
Peace, goodwill to men;
Glory in the highest,
Glory in the highest,
Peace on earth, goodwill to men.

Do you know the song that the shepherds heard
As they watched o’er their flocks by night,
When the skies bent down, and their hearts were stirred
By the voices of the angels bright?

Refrain

Do you know the story that the wise men learned
As they journeyed from the east afar,
O’er a pathway plain, for there nightly burned
In their sight a glorious guiding star?

Refrain

From every spire on Christmas Eve, the Christmas bells ring clearly out
Their message of goodwill and peace, with many a call and silver shout.
For faithful hearts, the angels’ song still echoes in the frosty air,
And by the altar low they bow, in adoration and in prayer.

A thousand blessed memories throng, the stars are holy signs to them,
And from the eyes of every child looks forth the Babe of Bethlehem;
But there are others, not like these, whose brows are sad, whose hopes are crossed,
To whom the season brings no cheer, and life’s most gracious charm is lost.

To whom that story, old and sweet, is but a fable at the best,
The Christmas music mocks their ears, and life has naught of joy or rest.
Oh! for angel’s voice to pierce the clouds of grief that over them rise,
The mists of doubt and unbelief that veil the blue of Christmas skies.

That they, at last, may see the Light which shines from Bethlehem, and unfold
For Christ the treasures of their hearts, richer than spicery or gold.
Hope of the ages, draw Thou near, till all the earth shall own Thy sway,
And when Thou reignest in every heart it will, indeed, be Christmas Day.

Glorious, beauteous, golden-bright,
Shedding softest, purest light,
Shone the stars that Christmas night,
When the Jewish shepherds kept
Watch beside their flocks that slept.

But the stars’ sweet golden gleam
Faded quickly as a dream
’Mid the wondrous glory-stream
That illumined all the earth,
When Christ’s angels sang His birth.

Soft and pure and holy glory,
Kings and seers and prophets hoary,
Shed throughout the sacred story:
While the priests, like shepherds true,
Watched beside God’s chosen few.

But that light no more availéd,
And its splendor staighway paléd
In His light Whom angels hailéd;
Even as the stars of old,
’Mid the brightness lost their gold.

Now no more on Christmas night,
Is the sky with angels bright,
But for ever shines the Light;
Even He Whose birth they told
To the shepherds by the fold.

Since that Light then darkens never,
Let us all, with glad endeavor,
Sing the song that echoes ever:
Glory in the highest Heaven!
Peace on earth to us forgiven.

Hark from on high those blissful strains!
Whence can such sweetness be?
Have angels waked their golden harps
With Heav’ns own minstrelsy?
With Heav’ns own minstrelsy?

Or do we hear the cherub voice
Of infant bands who raise,
Soaring from earth celestial notes
In their Creator’s praise?
In their Creator’s praise?

Thus spake the shepherds—yet with dread,
So strange the sounds they heard,
While o’er their slumb’ring flocks they kept
Their wonted nightly guard,
Their wonted nightly guard.

And soon they saw a dazzling light
Beam through the starry way,
And shining seraphs clust’ring where
The infant Jesus lay,
The infant Jesus lay.

They came a Savior’s birth to tell,
And tunes of rapture sing;
Hence the glad notes that filled the air—
Each swept his loudest string,
Each swept his loudest string.

But now in accents soft and kind
The chieftain angel said,
“Heav’ns tidings of great joy we bear—
Shepherds, be not afraid,
Shepherds, be not afraid.”