Christians, awake, salute the happy morn,
Whereon the Saviour of mankind 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 the angelic herald's voice: Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour's birth
To you and all the nations upon earth:
This day hath God fulfilled His promised word,
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.
He spake; and straightway the celestial choir
In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire,
The praises of redeeming love they sang,
And heaven's 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 r
an,
To see the wonder God had wrought for man:
Then to their flocks still praising God, return,
And their glad hearts with holy rapture burn;
Amazed the wondrous tidings they proclaim,
The first apostles of His infant fame.
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 the bitter Cross;
Tread in His steps, assisted by His grace,
Till man's first heavenly state again takes place
.
Then may we hope, the 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;
Around us all His glory shall display;
Saved by His love, incessant we shall sing
Eternal praise to heaven's almighty King.