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 the angelic herald's voice: “Behold,

I bring good tidings of a Savior's birth

To you and all the nations upon earth.

This day hath God fulfilled his promised word,

This day is born a Savior, 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 alleluias rang;

God's highest glory was their anthem still,

Peace upon earth, and unto men good will.

To Bethlehem straight the happy shepherds ran,

To see the wonder God had wrought for man;

And found, with Joseph and the blessed Maid,

Her Son, the Savior, in a manger laid;

Amazed, the wondrous story they proclaim,

The earliest heralds of the Savior's name.

Let us, like these good shepherds, then employ

Our grateful voices to proclaim the joy;

Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss,

From his poor manger to his bitter cross;

Treading his steps, assisted by his grace,

Till man's first heavenly state again takes place.

Then may we hope, the angelic thrones 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

Of angels and of angel-men the King.