“And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy.” -Luke 2:10
1 Christians, awake, salute the happy morn,
Where on the Saviour of mankind was born:
Rise to adore the mystery of love,
Which host of angels chanted from above;
With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God incarnate and the Virgins Son.
2 Then to the watchful shepherds it was told
Who heard the angelic herald’s voice: Behold,
I bring you good tidings of Saviour’s birth
To you and all the nations upon the earth;
This day hath God fulfilled his promised word,
This day is born a savior, Christ the Lord.
3 He spake; and straightway the celestial choir
In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire,
Thy praises of redeeming love thy sang,
And heavens whole orb with hallelujahs rang,
God’s highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace upon earth, and unto men goodwill.
- To Bethlehem straight the enlightened shepherds ran,
To see the wonder God had wrought for man:
Then to their flocks, still God return,
And their glad hearts, with holy rapture burn;
Amazed, the wondrous tidings they proclaim,
The first apostles of his infant fame.
5 Oh may we keep and ponder in our mind
God’s wondrous love in saving lost mankind;
Trace we the babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
From the poor manger to bitter cross:
Tread in His steps, assisted His grace,
Till man’s first heavenly state again takes place.
6 Then may we hope, the angelic host 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, incessant we shall sing
Eternal praise to heaven’s Almighty King.