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 th’ 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 fulfill’d 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 the sign.’
JOHN BYROM