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88
FAVOURITE
CAROLS AND HYMNS
FOR
CHRISTMAS.
OTLEY:
WILLIAM WALKER AND SONS.
CHRISTMAS HYMNS.
1.
Christians awake, salute the happy morn,
Whereon the Saviour 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 glad 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.
“In David’s city, shepherds, ye shall find
The long foretold Redeemer of mankind,
Wrapt up in swaddling clothes, the Babe divine
Lies in a manger—this shall be your sign.”
He spake, and straightway the celestial choir
In hymns of joy unknown before conspire.
The praises of redeeming love they sung,
And heaven’s whole arch with hallelujahs rung!
God’s highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace upon earth, and mutual good will.
To Bethlehem straight the enlighten’d shepherds ran,
To see the wonder God had wrought for man.
Artless and watchful as these favour’d swains,
While virgin meekness in their hearts remains;
Trace we the Babe, who has retriev’d 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;
Then we may hope, the angelic thrones among,
To find redeem’d a glad triumphant throng;
He that was born upon that joyful day,
Around us all his glory shall display:
Sav’d by his love, incessant we shall sing
Eternal praise to heaven’s all-powerful King.
2.
Shepherds, rejoice, lift up your eyes,
And send your fears away;
News from the regions of the skies,
A Saviour’s born to-day!
Jesus, the God whom angels fear,
Comes down to dwell with you;
To-day he makes his entrance here,
But not as monarchs do.
Go, Shepherds, where the Infant lies,
And see his humble throne;
With tears of joy in all your eyes,
Go, shepherds, kiss the Son.
Glory to God, who reigns above!
Let peace surround the earth!
Mortals shall know their Maker’s love,
At their Redeemer’s birth.
Lord! and shall angels have their songs,
And men no tune to raise?
O may we lose these useless tongues
When we forget to praise!
Glory to God who reigns above,
That pitied us forlorn!
We join to sing our Maker’s love,
For there’s a Saviour born.
3.
Hark! hark! what news the angels bring;
Glad tidings of a new-born King!
Born of a maid, a Virgin pure,
Born without sin, from guilt secure.
Hail, mighty Prince—eternal King!
Let heaven and earth rejoice and sing;
Angels and men with one accord
Break forth in songs to praise the Lord.
Behold! he comes and leaves the skies;
Awake, ye slumbering mortals,—rise!
Awake to joy, and hail the morn,
The Saviour of the world is born.
With endless love He comes to dwell
On earth, to save mankind from hell;
In chorus then, with joy and mirth,
We’ll celebrate our Saviour’s birth.
Echo shall waft the strains around,
While list’ning angels hear the sound;
And all the heavenly hosts above
Shall join to sing redeeming love.
4.
At Jacob’s well a stranger sought
His drooping frame to cheer:
Samaria’s daughters little thought
That Jacob’s God was near.
This had she known, her fainting mind
For richer draughts had sighed;
Nor had Messiah, ever kind,
Those richer draughts denied.
This ancient well—(no glass so true,)—
Britannia’s image shows:
Now Jesus travels Britain through,
But who the Stranger knows?
Yet Britain must this Stranger know,
Or soon her loss deplore:
Behold the living waters flow;
Come, drink, and thirst no more.
5.
Lift up your heads in joyful hope,
Salute the happy morn:
Each heavenly power
Proclaims the glad hour;
Lo! Jesus the Saviour is born.