  119C. H. M. Glory to God—good will to men. In hymns of praise, eternal God, When thy creating hand Stretched the blue arch of heaven abroad, And meted sea and land, The morning stars together sung, And shouts of joy from angels rung. 2 Than earth’s prime hour, more joyous far Was the eventful morn, When the bright beam of Bethlehem’s star Announced a Saviour born! Then sweeter strains from heaven began “Glory to God—good will to man.” 3 Babe of the manger! can it be? Art thou the Son of God? Shall subject nations bow the knee, And kings obey thy nod? Shall thrones and monarchs prostrate fall Before the tenant of a stall? 4 ’Tis he! the hymning seraphs cry, While hovering drawn to earth; ’Tis he, the shepherds’ songs reply; Hail! hail! Immanuel’s birth; The rod of peace those hands shall bear, That brow a crown of glory wear! 5 ’Tis he! the eastern sages sing, And spread their golden hoard; ’Tis he! the hills of Zion ring, Hosanna to the Lord! The Prince of long prophetic years To-day in Bethlehem appears! 120C. M. double. Song of the angels. It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold: “Peace to the earth, good will to men, From heaven’s all-gracious King;” The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing. 2 Still through the cloven skies they come With peaceful wings unfurled; And still their heavenly music floats O’er all the weary world: Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on heavenly wing, And ever o’er its Babel sounds The blessÉd angels sing. 3 Yet with the woes of sin and strife The world has suffered long; Beneath the angel-strain have rolled Two thousand years of wrong; And men, at war with men, hear not The love-song which they bring: O! hush the noise, ye men of strife, And hear the angels sing! 4 And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, Whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow; Look now! for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing: O! rest beside the weary road, And hear the angels sing! 5 For lo! the days are hastening on, By prophet-bards foretold, When with the ever-circling years Comes round the age of gold; When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendor fling, And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing. 121C. M. Mortals, awake. Mortals! awake, with angels join, And chant the solemn lay; Love, joy, and gratitude combine To hail the auspicious day. 2 In heaven the rapturous song began, And sweet seraphic fire Through all the shining legions ran, And swept the sounding lyre. 3 The theme, the song, the joy was new To each angelic tongue; Swift through the realms of light it flew, And loud the echo rung. 4 Down through the portals of the sky The pealing anthem ran, And angels flew with eager joy To bear the news to man. 5 Hark! the cherubic armies shout, And glory leads the song, Peace and salvation swell the note Of all the heavenly throng. 6 With joy the chorus we’ll repeat, “Glory to God on high! Good will and peace are now complete— Jesus was born to die!” 7 Hail, Prince of life! for ever hail! Redeemer—brother—friend! Though earth, and time, and life shall fail, Thy praise shall never end. 122C. M. Isaiah 9:6. To us a child of hope is born, To us a Son is given; Him shall the tribes of earth obey, Him, all the hosts of heaven. 2 His name shall be the Prince of Peace, For evermore adored, The Wonderful, the Counsellor, The great and mighty Lord. 3 His power, increasing, still shall spread; His reign no end shall know; Justice shall guard his throne above, And peace abound below. 123C. M. The day-spring from on high. Calm on the listening ear of night, Come heaven’s melodious strains, Where wild Judea stretches far Her silver-mantled plains. 2 Celestial choirs, from courts above, Shed sacred glories there, And angels, with their sparkling lyres, Make music on the air. 3 The answering hills of Palestine Send back the glad reply; And greet, from all their holy hights, The day-spring from on high. 4 O’er the blue depths of Galilee There comes a holier calm, And Sharon waves, in solemn praise, Her silent groves of palm. 5 “Glory to God!” the sounding skies Loud with their anthems ring— “Peace to the earth, good will to men, From heaven’s eternal King.” 6 Light on thy hill, Jerusalem! The Saviour now is born! And bright on Bethlehem’s joyous plains Breaks the first Advent morn. 124C. M. The Advent. Hark, the glad sound! the Saviour comes! The Saviour promised long! Let every heart prepare a throne, And every voice a song. 2 He comes, the prisoner to release In Satan’s bondage held; The gates of brass before him burst, The iron fetters yield. 3 He comes, from thickest films of vice To clear the mental ray, And on the eyeballs of the blind To pour celestial day. 4 He comes, the broken heart to bind, The bleeding soul to cure, And with the treasures of his grace To enrich the humble poor. 5 Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, The welcome shall proclaim, And heaven’s eternal arches ring With thy belovÉd name. 125C. M. Joy to the world. Joy to the world; the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King: Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing. 2 Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns! Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, Repeat the sounding joy. 3 No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found. 4 He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love. 1267s. Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King! Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.” 2 Joyful, all ye nations, rise; Join the triumphs of the skies; With th’ angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.” 3 See, he lays his glory by; Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth. 4 Vailed in flesh the Godhead see! Hail, th’ incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel! 5 Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings. 6 Let us then with angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King! Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled!” 1277s. The wonderful. Bright and joyful was the morn When to us a child was born; From the highest realms of heaven Unto us a Son was given. 2 On his shoulder he shall bear Power and majesty—and wear On his vesture and his thigh Names most awful—names most high. 3 Wonderful in counsel he, Christ th’ incarnate Deity; Sire of ages ne’er to cease, King of kings, and Prince of Peace. 4 Come and worship at his feet, Yield to him the homage meet; From his manger to his throne, Homage due to God alone. 1287s. Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, tell us of the night, What its signs of promise are. Traveler, o’er yon mountain’s hights See that glory-beaming star! 2 Watchman, does its beauteous ray Aught of joy or hope foretell? Traveler, yes: it brings the day, Promised day of Israel. 3 Watchman, tell us of the night; Higher yet that star ascends. Traveler, blessedness and light, Peace and truth, its course portends. 4 Watchman, will its beams alone Gild the spot that gave them birth? Traveler, ages are its own: See! it bursts o’er all the earth! 5 Watchman, tell us of the night, For the morning seems to dawn. Traveler, darkness takes its flight, Doubt and terror are withdrawn. 6 Watchman, let thy wandering cease; Hie thee to thy quiet home. Traveler, lo! the Prince of Peace, Lo! the Son of God is come! 1297s. A Bethlehem hymn. He has come! the Christ of God; Left for us his glad abode; Stooping from his throne of bliss, To this darksome wilderness. 2 He has come—the Prince of Peace— Come to bid our sorrows cease; Come to scatter, with his light, All the shadows of our night. 3 He, the mighty King, has come! Making the poor earth his home Come to bear sin’s heavy load; Son of David, Son of God. 4 He has come, whose name of grace Speaks deliverance to our race; Left for us his glad abode; Son of Mary, Son of God! 5 Unto us a child is born! Ne’er has earth beheld a morn Numbered in the morns of time, Half so glorious in its prime. 6 Unto us a Son is given! He has come from God’s own heaven; Bringing with him from above, Holy peace and holy love. 1307s. Immanuel. God with us! O glorious name! Let it shine in endless fame; God and man in Christ unite— O mysterious depth and hight! 2 God with us! amazing love Brought him from his courts above; Now, ye saints, his grace admire, Swell the song with holy fire. 3 God with us! O wondrous grace! Let us see him face to face; That we may Immanuel sing, As we ought, our God and King. 131P. M. Silent night. Silent night! hallowed night! Land and deep silent sleep; Softly glitters bright Bethlehem’s star, Beckoning Israel’s eye from afar Where the Saviour is born. 2 Silent night! hallowed night! On the plain wakes the strain, Sung by heavenly harbingers bright, Fraught with tidings of boundless delight: Christ the Saviour has come. 3 Silent night! hallowed night! Earth awake, silence break, High your anthems of melody raise, Heaven and earth in full chorus of praise: Peace for ever shall reign. 132H. M. Good tidings of great joy. Hark! hark! the notes of joy Roll o’er the heavenly plains, And seraphs find employ For their sublimest strains: Some new delight in heaven is known; Loud sound the harps around the throne. 2 Hark! hark! the sound draws nigh— The joyful host descends; The Lord forsakes the sky, To earth his footsteps bends: He comes to bless our fallen race; He comes with messages of grace. 3 Bear, bear the tidings round! Let every mortal know What love in God is found, What pity he can show: Ye winds that blow, ye waves that roll, Bear the glad news from pole to pole. 4 Strike, strike the harps again, To great Immanuel’s name! Arise, ye sons of men, And all his grace proclaim: Angels and men, wake every string, ’Tis God the Saviour’s praise we sing! 1338s & 7s. Shepherds, hail the wondrous stranger. Shepherds! hail the wondrous stranger, Now to Bethlehem speed your way; Lo! in yonder humble manger, Christ, the Lord, is born to-day. 2 Bright the star of your salvation, Pointing to his rude abode; Rapturous news for every nation: Now, behold the Son of God. 3 Love eternal moved the Saviour, Thus to lay his radiance by; Blessings on the Lamb for ever; Glory be to God on high. 1348s & 7s. Chorus of the angels. Hark! what joyful notes are swelling On the quiet midnight air! ’Tis the voice of angels telling, Jesus comes our sins to bear! Now the music, in its gladness, Breaks and swells, and glides along! Now, earth, waking from her sadness, Joins the chorus of the song! Glory in the highest heaven! Peace on earth, good-will to man! Let all praise to God be given, For Redemption’s glorious plan! 2 See all darkness disappearing, As the star begins to rise! Sin and death stand trembling, fearing, As the light falls on their eyes: Now, again, the earth rejoices, Satan’s powerful kingdom shakes, As, from all the heavenly voices, Louder still the chorus breaks! Glory in the highest heaven! etc. 3 Rise and shine, Star of Salvation! Spread thy beams o’er all the earth, Till each distant land and nation Owns and speaks thy matchless worth! Till all tongues, thy praises singing, Shall thy mighty wonders tell, Till all heaven with joy is ringing, As our hearts the chorus swell: Glory in the highest heaven! etc. 4 When our days on earth are ended, And we rise to worlds above, Then our songs shall all be blended In one song of pardoning love! Then we’ll tell the wondrous story, And our blessÉd Lord adore; In our home of bliss and glory We shall sing for evermore! Glory in the highest heaven! Sound aloud the joyful strain! Glory to the Lamb be given, Who for sinners once was slain! 1358s & 7s. Hark! what mean those holy voices? Hark! what mean those holy voices, Sweetly sounding through the skies? Lo! th’ angelic host rejoices! Heavenly hallelujahs rise. 2 Hear them tell the wondrous story, Hear them chant in hymns of joy— “Glory to the highest, glory! Glory be to God most high! 3 “Peace on earth, good-will from heaven, Reaching far as man is found; Souls redeemed and sins forgiven!” Loud our golden harps shall sound. 4 “Christ is born, the great anointed; Heaven and earth his praises sing; O receive whom God appointed, For your Prophet, Priest, and King! 5 “Haste, ye mortals, to adore him; Learn his name, and taste his joy; Till in heaven ye sing before him— “‘Glory be to God most high!’” 1368s & 7s. Christ, the Saviour, born. Hail, thou long-expected Jesus! Born to set thy people free; From our sins and fears release us, Let us find our rest in thee. 2 Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the saints, thou art; Longdesired of every nation, Joy of every waiting heart. 3 Born, thy people to deliver— Born a child, yet Christ, our King— Born to reign in us for ever— Now thy gracious kingdom bring. 4 By thine own eternal Spirit, Rule in all our hearts alone; By thine all-sufficient merit, Raise us to thy glorious throne. 1378s, 7s & 4. Come and worship. Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o’er all the earth, Ye who sang creation’s story, Now proclaim Messiah’s birth: Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born King. 2 Shepherds, in the field abiding, Watching o’er your flocks by night, God with man is now residing, Yonder shines the infant light; Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born King. 3 Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar; Seek the great desire of nations; Ye have seen his natal star! Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born King. 4 Saints, before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear, Suddenly, the Lord descending, In his temple shall appear; Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born King. 13811s & 10s. Hail the blest morn. Hail the blest morn! when the great Mediator Down from the regions of glory descends! Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger; Lo! for your guide the bright angel attends! CHORUS. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thy aid: Star of the East, the horizon adorning, Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. 2 Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining, Low lies his head with the beasts of the stall: Angels adore him in slumbers reclining, Maker, and Monarch, and Saviour of all! 3 Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion, Odors of Eden, and offerings divine; Gems from the mountain, and pearls from the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine? 4 Vainly we offer earth’s richest oblation Vainly with gold would his favor secure; Richer, by far, is the heart’s adoration, Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor! 13912s. Hallelujah to the Lamb. From the regions of love, lo! an angel descended, And told the strange news how the babe was attended; Go, shepherds, and visit the wonderful stranger; See yonder bright star! there’s your Lord in a manger. CHORUS. Hallelujah to the Lamb who has purchased our pardon, We’ll praise him again when we pass over Jordan! 2 Glad tidings I bring unto you and each nation! Glad tidings of joy—now behold your salvation; Then suddenly multitudes raise their glad voices, And shout hallelujahs, while heaven rejoices! 3 Now glory to God in the highest be given, All glory to God is re-echoed from heaven; Around the whole earth let us tell the glad story, And sing of his love, his salvation, and glory. 4 O Jesus! ride on, thy kingdom is glorious; Over sin, death, and hell, thou’lt make us victorious! Thy banner unfurl—let the nations surrender, And own thee their Saviour, their Lord and Defender! 140P. M. Glory to God in the highest. Hark! from the world on high Glory to God! Now swells along the sky Glory to God! Songs, like sweet notes of praise, Pour forth in rapturous lays, As all the voices raise Glory to God! 2 Hear how the angels sing Glory to God! Through all the heavens ring Glory to God! Now, let each heart on earth Sing of the Saviour’s birth, Telling his matchless worth, Glory to God! |
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