1 Behold the joyful day is nigh,
And angels’ voices from on high
Proclaim the news in early morn
That the Good Shepherd now is born.

2 In quiet splendor forth He comes,
The scattered sheep and tender lambs
He'll gather, and their fold prepare
With all a shepherd’s tender care.

3 So meek and mild we Him behold;
And not with silver nor with gold,
But by His suffering and His death,
He saves us from eternal wrath.

4 His church, though small its seed may be,
Shall rise a tall and mighty tree,
With fruitful branches spreading o’er
The earth till time shall be no more.

5 His Word shall like a gentle rain
Make all the earth rejoice again,
And yield a rich and blest increase
In truth, and purity, and peace.

6 And heaven and earth shall pass away,
Yet shall His Word remain for aye:
All tongues shall soon with one accord
Proclaim Him Saviour, God, and Lord.

7 Arise and shine, thy Light is come,
O humankind, O Christendom;
Thy glory and thy peace is here;
The Saviour of the world draws near.

8 All praise and glory be to Thee
For wisdom, power, and majesty;
And for Thy grace and mercy, Lord,
Forever be Thy name adored.