1 There came a message from the sky:
God has the earth befriended,
His Son who dwells in heaven high,
By angel hosts attended,
Will now your flesh and blood put on
As David's Son;
Your wretched state is ended.

2 It first to Nazareth did come
By Gabriel expounded;
To Mary, in her humble home,
So wonderful it sounded:
O Mary, hail, thou shalt not fear,
The Lord is near,
To thee hath grace abounded!

3 Thou shalt a Son conceive and bear,
Who is the Prince of heaven,
Who shall to David's throne be heir
And Jacob's house be given;
He shall extend to ev'ry race
His reign of grace,
His kingdom, like a leaven.

4 The Holy Spirit shall to thee
His boundless power render,
Abundant shall the mercy be
From Him, thy strong Defender;
This child is therefore from above,
Whom thou shalt love
As mother kind and tender.

5 Come. Christmas-Child, and be my guest,
Give me Thy Holy Spirit,
Prepare my heart and make it blest
Forever through Thy merit,
That I at last may dwell with Thee,
Thy kingdom see,
And all its gifts inherit.