Christians, Awake

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn,

Whereon the Saviour of man-kind 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.

Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,

Who heard the angelic herald's voice: "Behold,

I bring good tidings of a Saviour's birth

To you and all the nations upon earth:

This day hath God fulfilled His promised word,

This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord."

He spake; and straightway the celestial choir

In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire:

The praises of redeeming love they sang,

And heaven's whole arch with alleluias rang:

God's highest glory was their anthem still,

Peace upon earth, and unto men good-will.

To Bethlehem straight the happy shepherds ran,

To see the wonder God had wrought for man:

And found, with Joseph and the blessed maid,

Her Son, the Saviour, in a manger laid;

Amazed the wondrous story they proclaim,

The earliest heralds of the Saviour's name.

Let us, like these good shepherds, then employ

Our grateful voices to proclaim the joy;

Trace we the Babe, Who hath retrieved our loss,

From His poor manger to His bitter Cross;

Treading His steps, assisted by His grace,

Till man's first heavenly state again takes place.

Then may we hope, the angelic thrones among,

To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song;

He, that was born upon this joyful day,

Around us all His glory shall display;

Saved by His love, incessant we shall sing

Of angels and of angel-men the King.