From heaven above to earth I come To hear good news to ev'ry home; Glad tidings of great joy I bring, Whereov I now will say and sing: | To you this night in 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 Hath 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. | There 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 bestow'd. | Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes! Who is it in yon manger lies? Who is this child, so young and fair? The blessed 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 honour, wealth, and might Are nought and worthless in Thy fight. | 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 raise 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. | |