"Christians, Awake, Salute"
                       by John Byrom, 1692-1763
                                Text From:
                   THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
           (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)p.68



        1. 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.

        2. 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."

        3. 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.

        4. To Bethlehem straight th' enlightened 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;
        Then to their flocks, still praising God, return.
        And their glad hearts with holy rapture burn.

        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 His poor manger to His bitter cross,
        Tread in His steps, assisted by His grace,
        Till man's first heavenly state again takes place.

        6.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, incessant we shall sing
        Eternal praise to heaven's almighty King.

        

        Notes:
        Hymn #84 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: Luke 2:1-18
        Author: John Byrom, 1749, cento, alt.
        Composer: John Wainwright, 1750
        Tune: "Yorkshire"