Let Christians now in joyful mirth,

The young and old, both great and small,

Still think upon a Saviour’s birth,

Who brought salvation to us all.

And thus when God his Son did send,

Whom cruel Jews did hold in scorn,

No pompous train did there attend

This King of Kings, when he was born.

No place but in an ox’s stall,

The place of his nativity.

Indeed, this should instruct us all

To learn of him humility.

’Twas in King David’s city, then,

As Holy Scriptures make appear,

And in the time of taxing, when

They came in throngs both far and near.

The Virgin Mary, then by name,

And Joseph most exceeding kind,

When they into the city came,

No habitation could they find.

But in a stable mean, where they

Continued till the blessed morn:

Let us rejoice and keep this day,

Whereon the Lord of Life was born.