24. Christians awake! salute the happy morn

1 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.

2 Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard the angelic herald’s voice, 'Behold,
I bring you tidings of a Saviour’s birth
To you and all the nations on the earth:
This day hath God fulfilled His promised word,
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.'

3 He spake; and straightaway that celestial choir
In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire;
The praises of redeeming love they sang,
And heaven’s whole orb with alleluyas rang:
God’s highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace on the earth, and unto men goodwill.

4 *To Bethl'em straight the enlightened shepherds ran
To see the wonder God had wrought for man,
And found, with Joseph and the blessèd Maid,
Her Son, the Saviour, in a manger laid:
Joyful, the wondrous story they proclaim--
The first apostles of his infant fame.

5 *Like Mary let us ponder in our mind
God’s wondrous love in saving lost mankind;
Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
From his poor manger to his bitter cross;
Then may we hope, angelic thrones among,
To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song.

Text Information
First Line: Christians awake! salute the happy morn
Author: John Byrom, 1691-1763 (alt.)
Meter: 10 10 10 10 10 10
Language: English
Publication Date: 1986
Topic: The Christian Year: Christmas
Tune Information
Name: YORKSHIRE (STOCKPORT)
Composer: John Wainwright, 1723-68
Meter: 10 10 10 10 10 10
Key: C Major



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