1 The happy Christmas comes once more;
The heavenly Guest is at the door,
The blessed words the shepherds thrill,
The joyous tidings: Peace, Good-will.

2 To David's city let us fly,
Where angels sing beneath the sky;
Through plain and village pressing near,
And news from God with shepherds hear.

3 Oh, let us go with quiet mind,
The gentle Babe with shepherds find,
To gaze on Him who gladdens them,
The loveliest flower of Jesse's stem.

4 The lowly Saviour meekly lies,
Laid off the splendor of the skies;
No crown bedecks His forehead fair,
No pearl, nor gem, nor silk is there.

5 No human glory, might, and gold,
The lovely infant's form enfold;
The manger and the swaddlings poor
Are His, whom angels' songs adore.

6 Oh, wake our hearts, in gladness sing,
And keep our Christmas with our King,
Till living song, from loving souls,
Like sound of mighty water rolls!

7 O holy Child, Thy manger streams
Till earth and heaven glow with it beams,
Till midnight hath noon's bright lisht has won,
And Jacob's Star outshines the sun.

8 Thou Patriarchs' joy, Thou Prophets' song,
Thou heavenly Day-Spring, looked for long,
Thou Son of man, incarnate Word,
Great David's Son, great David's Lord!

9 Come, Jesus, glorious heavenly Guest,
Keep Thine own Christmas in our breast,
Then David's harp-string, hushed so long,
Shall swell our Jubilee of song.

Amen.