Christ was born on Christmas day;
Wreathe the holly, twine the bay;
_Christus natus hodie_:
The Babe, the Son, the Holy One of Mary.
He is born to set us free,
He is born our Lord to be,
_Ex Maria Virgine_:
The God, the Lord, by all adored for ever.
Let the bright red berries glow
Everywhere in goodly show;
_Christus natus hodie_:
The Babe, the Son, the Holy One of Mary.
Christian men, rejoice and sing;
’Tis the birthday of a King,
_Ex Maria Virgine_:
The God, the Lord, by all adored for ever.
Night of sadness, Morn of gladness
Evermore:
Ever, ever, after many troubles sore,
Morn of gladness, evermore and evermore.
Midnight scarcely passed and over,
Drawing to this holy morn,
Very early, very early
Christ was born.
Sing out with bliss, His name is this—
Emmanuel,
As was foretold in days of old
By Gabriel.
J. M. NEALE