Part 2

It is, it is! and I adore this Babe so meek and lowly, As saints and seraphs bow before the throne of God—thrice holy: Faith, through the veil of flesh can see the face of Thy divinity, My Lord, my God, my Saviour!

29.

Arise, and hail the sacred day, cast all low cares of life away, And thoughts of meaner things: This day to cure our deadly woes, The Son of Righteousness arose With healing in his wings.

Chorus: O then let heaven and earth rejoice! Creation’s whole united voice, To hail the happy day; When Satan’s empire vanquish’d fell, and all the powers of death and hell Confess’d His sovereign sway.

If angels on that sacred morn, the Saviour of this world was born, Pour’d forth their grateful songs; Much more should we of human race adore the wonders of his grace To whom that grace belongs! Cho: O then let, &c.

How wonderful, how vast His love, who left the shining realms above, Those happy seats of rest! How much of human kind he bore, their peace and pardon to restore, Can never be express’d! Cho: O then let, &c.

30.

Shepherds keeping watch by night, saw around a glorious light; Heard an angel thence proclaim,—“Christ is born in Bethlehem.” Soon a bright and heavenly throng, “Glory to the Almighty” sung. “Peace on earth, good-will to men, Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Joyful tidings to mankind, richest grace they now may find; Children all his grace may claim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”

O how great his grace and love, thus to leave his throne above; Thus to bear our guilt and shame, and be born in Bethlehem!

31.

Bright and joyful is the morn, for “to us a Child is born;” From the highest realms of heaven, “Unto us a Son is given.” “On his shoulders he shall bear,” power and majesty;—and wear “On his vesture and his thigh,” names most awful, names most high.

Wonderful in Counsel, He—the Incarnate Deity; Sire of ages, ne’er to cease, King of Kings and Prince of Peace. Come and worship at his feet, yield to Him the homage meet; From his manger to his throne, homage due to God alone.

32.

Christ is born! go tell the story; tell the nations of his birth; Tell them that the “Lord of Glory” comes from heaven to dwell on earth: Let the tidings fill the world with sacred mirth!

See, He lies in yonder manger; “Prince of Life” his Title is; ’Midst his own, and yet a stranger, all things seen, and unseen, his; Yet neglected—Wonder, O ye heavens, at this!

See fulfill’d prophetic vision, “Unto us a Child is born.” Tho’ an object of derision, tho’ the theme of human scorn: Yet his people hail his birth, and cease to mourn.

33.

Sing, ye ransomed nations, sing praises to our new-born King! Son of Man our Saviour is, Lord of Hosts and Prince of Peace. Lo, He lays his glories by! emptied of his Majesty, See, the God who all things made, humbly in a manger laid! Let us then our peace proclaim, let us chant Emmanuel’s name; Publish, at his wondrous birth, praise in heaven and peace on earth.

34.

The King of Glory sends his Son, to make his entrance on this earth! Behold the midnight bright as noon, and heavenly hosts declare his birth!

Simeon and Anna both conspire, the Infant Saviour to proclaim; Inward they felt the sacred fire, and blest the Babe and own’d his Name. Let Jews and Greeks blaspheme aloud, and treat the holy Child with scorn; Our souls adore the Eternal God, who condescended to be born.

35.

Come, behold the Virgin mother fondly leaning o’er her Child; Nature shows not such another, glorious, meek, and mild! ’Tis the Saviour! Heaven upon his birth-day smil’d.

Bethlehem’s ancient walls enclose Him, dwelling-place of David once; Now no friendly homestead knows Him, tho’ the noblest of his sons: See the Saviour, shelt’ring ’mid the scatt’red stones!

Royal Bethlehem, how deserted, all its pomp and splendour lost! Is a stable, vile and dirtied, all the welcome you can boast? Must the Saviour thus be spurn’d by every host?

36.

Hark! what mean those holy voices, sweetly sounding thro’ the skies? Lo! the angelic host rejoices; heavenly hallelujahs rise. Listen to the wondrous story, which they chant in hymns of joy! “Glory, in the highest, glory! Glory to God most high!

“Peace on earth, good-will from heaven,” reaching far as man is found; Souls redeemed and sins forgiven, loud our golden harps shall sound. Christ is born, the great Anointed, heaven and earth his praises sing: O receive whom God appointed for your Prophet, Priest, and King!

Hasten, mortals, to adore Him! learn his name and taste his joy: Till in heaven ye sing before Him, Glory be to God most high!

37.

Give thanks to God our King, and make a joyful noise; Let every tongue his praises sing, and every heart rejoice.

CHORUS: Let the trumpet’s joyful sound Tell the listening world around, A ransom for lost man is found.

The love that fill’d his breast, and brought Him from the skies, Doth heavenly blessings now impart unto his enemies. For such amazing love let mortals tune their lays, And sing with all the hosts above, the Saviour’s worthy praise. Cho: Let the trumpet, &c.

38.

Little children, can you say—Why you’re glad on Christmas-day? Little children, can you tell—Why you hear the sweet church-bell? Can you tell us who was born— Early on the Christmas morn?

I hope you will at once reply, Yes, we are glad, and we know why: The day is joyful upon earth, in honour of a Saviour’s birth. Angels came from heaven to say, That Christ was born on Christmas day.

Christ is our Saviour, and we know, when little children to Him go, For all the good He gives, to pray, He will not turn his face away! His word in God’s own book we see, “Let little children come to me.”

This is the birth-day of our King, and we our little offering bring: This is our Saviour’s holiday, and therefore we are glad and gay; We’ll sing and pray, and read His word, And keep the birth-day of our Lord.

39.

Hail, sacred morning! whose bright rays Beheld the new-born Prince of Peace Come from the shining realms above, To win the nations with His love.

CHORUS: Sound, sound the trumpet, sound! Let the sacred mirth abound, And banish every slavish fear away: Exalt his praises high, With angels in the sky, For Christ, the King of Glory’s born to-day.

No more shall Gentiles lie forlorn; God’s everlasting Son is born! Left all the grandeur of the sky, For man, vile man, to bleed and die.

Behold the Lamb of God appears, To chase away our gloomy fears; Born greater blessings to restore, Than our first parents lost before. Sound, sound, &c.

40.

Let children proclaim their Saviour and King! To Jesu’s dear name—Hosannas we sing; Our best adoration to Jesus we give, Who purchas’d salvation—for us to receive.

The meek Lamb of God—from glory came down, To ransom with blood—and make us his own. He patiently suffered—our souls to redeem: Let songs then be offer’d—to Jesu’s dear name.

To Him let us give—our earliest days, And thankfully live—to publish his praise: Our lives shall confess Him—who came from above, Our tongues ever bless Him—and tell of his love.

41.

What good news the angels bring! what glad-tidings of our King! Christ, the Lord, is born to-day; Christ, who takes our sins away.

Lift your hearts and voices high, with hosannas fill the sky; Glory to God above! God is infinite in love. Shout ye nations of the earth! sing the triumphs of his birth; All the world by Him is blest; sound his praise from east to west!

42.

Behold, to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given! Unto the wretched and forlorn, descends the Lord from heaven! The promised seed Emmanuel, the everlasting God, Comes down to save from death and hell, poor sinners, by his blood. Great is the hidden mystery, that God became a man; He had, from all eternity, in mercy formed a plan To save from misery and distress, the fallen human race! And now the Sun of Righteousness his healing beams displays.

43.

Lo! the Eastern Magi rise, at a signal in the skies! Brighter than the brightest gem, shines the Star of Bethlehem. Balaam’s mystic words appear, full of light, divinely clear; And the import wrapt in them, is the Star of Bethlehem.

Now the holy wise men meet at the royal Infant’s feet, Offerings rich are made by them to the Star of Bethlehem. Night’s terrific shades give way, open dawns the promised day, And on us as well as them, shines the Star of Bethlehem.

44.

How shall I meet my Saviour? How shall I welcome Thee? What manner of behaviour is now required of me? Let Thine illumination guide heart and hand aright, That this my preparation be pleasing in Thy sight.

While with her sweetest flowers thy Zion strews the way, I’ll raise with all my powers to Thee a grateful lay; To Thee, the King of Glory, I’ll tune a song divine; And make Thy love’s bright story in grateful numbers shine.

I lay in fetters groaning, Thou camest to set me free; My shame I was bemoaning, with grace Thou clothedst me: Thou raisedst me to glory, endowd’st me with Thy bliss, Which is not transitory, as worldly treasure is.

This caused Thy incarnation; this brought Thee down to me; Thy thirst for my salvation contrived my liberty!

45.

When marshall’d on the nightly plain, The glittering hosts bestud the sky, One star alone of all the train Can fix the sinner’s wandering eye. Hark, hark! to God the chorus breaks, From every host, from every gem; But one alone the Saviour speaks,— It is the Star of Bethlehem. Once on the raging sea I rode, The storm was loud, the night was dark, The ocean yawn’d, and rudely blow’d The wind that toss’d my found’ring barque. Deep horror then my vitals froze, Death-struck, I ceas’d the tide to stem; When suddenly a Star arose,— It was the Star of Bethlehem. It was my guide, my light, my all, It bade my dark forebodings cease; And through the storm and danger’s thrall, It led me to the port of peace. Now safely moor’d, my perils o’er, I’ll sing first in night’s diadem, For ever, and for evermore, The Star—the Star of Bethlehem!

46.

Songs of praise the angels sang, heaven with hallelujahs rang, When Jehovah’s work begun, when He spake and it was done. Songs of praise awoke the morn, when the Prince of Peace was born; Songs of praise arose when He captive led captivity.

Heaven and earth must pass away, songs of praise shall crown that day; God will make new heaven and earth, songs of praise shall hail their birth. Saints below, with heart and voice, still in songs of praise rejoice; Learning here by faith and love, songs of praise to sing above.

Borne upon the latest breath, songs of praise shall conquer death; Then amidst eternal joy, songs of praise their powers employ.

47.

The world lay hushed in slumber deep, And darkness veiled the mind, When rose upon their shadowy sleep, The Star that saves mankind!

It dawns o’er Bethlehem’s lowly shed, And scattering at the sight, Heaven’s idol-host at once have fled Before that awful light.

Led by the solitary star To glory’s poor abode, Lo! wondering Wisdom from afar, Brings incense to her God.

Humility, on Judah’s hills, Watching her fleecy care, Turns to an Angel-voice that fills With love the midnight air.

Like voices through yon bursting cloud Announce the almighty plan, Hymning in adoration loud, “Peace and good-will to man.”

48.

Sing all in heaven, at Jesu’s birth, Glory to God, and peace on earth: Incarnate love in Christ is seen, Pure mercy and good-will to men.

Praise Him, extolled above all height, Who doth in worthless worms delight; God reconciled in Christ confess, Your present and eternal peace.

Then swift to every startled eye, New streams of glory light the sky; Heaven burst her azure gates to pour Her spirits to the midnight hour.

On wheels of light, on wings of flame, The glorious hosts of Zion came; High heaven with songs of triumph rang, While thus they struck their harps and sang.

49.

All hail the power of Jesu’s name! let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all! Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God, who from his altar call; Extol the stem of Jesse’s rod, and crown Him Lord of all.

Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race, a remnant weak and small; Hail Him who saves you by his grace, and crown Him Lord of all. Ye Gentile sinners, ne’er forget the wormwood and the gall; Go spread your trophies at his feet, and crown Him Lord of all.

O that with yonder sacred throng, we at his feet may fall; There join the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all!

50.

Of all the wonders and delights, which raise our best surprise, The glorious themes, the lovely sights, with which we feast our eyes, There’s none for excellence, and joy, and wonder can compare, With what at Christmas may employ our serious thoughts and prayer.

If travellers through the darksome night rejoice the day to see; If prisoners bound in woful plight, are glad when they get free; If sick and dying men rejoice to see th’ physician’s face,— Then, sinners, listen, tune your voice, and hail the Saviour’s grace.

From heaven the Son of God descends, and takes the form of man. To reconcile his foes as friends, was all his gracious plan. For now the promis’d Saviour’s born, to Israel long foretold, A lovely babe—the great ones’ scorn—see a rough stable hold!

But though He comes in lowly guise, ’tis David’s Royal Son, And He that in the manger lies, shall fill his Father’s throne.

51.

To us a child of royal birth, Heir of the promises, is given; The Invisible appears on earth, the Son of man the God of heaven. A Saviour born, in love supreme he comes our fallen souls to raise: He comes his people to redeem, with all his plenitude of grace.

The Christ by raptured seers foretold, fill’d with the eternal Spirit’s power; Prophet, and Priest, and King behold, and Lord of all the worlds adore. The Lord of Hosts, the God most high, who quits his throne on earth to live, With joy we welcome from the sky, with faith into our hearts receive.

52.

Hail this day of grace and peace, of bright celestial dawn, ’Tis glory, not the sun, awakes this consecrated morn.

Hear the tidings from on high, Messiah’s wondrous birth! Hear the angel tell the swains, He now inhabits earth.

And hear the host from heaven sing “Glory to God on high, Peace on earth, good will to men,” the greeting from the sky.

See the lowly infant laid, a manger for his bed, See a new-made star appear, to crown that infant head.

Then was heard the high command, “Angels before Him fall, Worship your incarnate God, and crown Him Lord of all.”

“Glory to God” the angels sung, “Glory to God,” we sing, And equal glory be to Thee, O Saviour, Lord and King.

53.

Awake, arise good Christians, let nothing you dismay; Remember Christ our Saviour was born upon this day.

The self-same moon was shining that now is in the sky, When a holy band of angels came down from God on high;

Came down on clouds of glory, arrayed in shining light, Unto the shepherd-people who watched their flocks by night.

And through the midnight silence the heavenly hosts began, “Glory to God in the highest; on earth good-will to man!

“Fear not! we bring good tidings, for on this happy morn, The promised One—the Saviour, in Bethlehem town was born.”

Up rose the simple shepherds, all with a joyful mind: “And let us go with speed,” say they, “this holy Child to find.”

Not in a kingly palace the Son of God they found, But in a lowly manger where oxen fed around.

The glorious King of Heaven, the Lord of all the earth, In mercy condescended to be of humble birth.

Long looked the simple shepherds with holy wonder stirred, Then praised God for all things which they had seen and heard,

And homeward went rejoicing upon that Christmas morn, Declaring unto every one that Jesus Christ was born.

And like unto the shepherds we wander far and near, And bid you wake, good Christians, the joyful news to hear.

Awake, arise, good Christians, let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ the Saviour was born upon this day.

54.

The voice of free grace cries, Escape to the mountain! For Adam’s lost race Christ hath opened a fountain: For sin and uncleanness, and every transgression, His blood freely flows in streams of salvation. Hallelujah to the Lamb who has bought us a pardon! We will praise Him again when we pass over Jordan.

Our Jesus proclaims His great Name all victorious, He reigns over all, and His kingdom is glorious! To Jesus our King—in the great congregation— With triumph we’ll sing, ascribing salvation. Hallelujah, &c.

On Zion we stand when escaped to the shore, With palms in our hands we shall praise Him the more; We’ll range the sweet plains on the banks of the river, And sing of salvation for ever and ever. Hallelujah, &c.

55.

Little children, praise the Saviour, He regards you from above; Praise Him for his great salvation! Praise Him for his precious love. Sweet hosannas to the name of Jesus sing!

When He left his throne in glory, When He lived with mortals here, Little children sang his praises, And it pleased his gracious ear. Sweet, &c.

When the anxious mothers round Him, With their tender infants, press’d; He with open arms received them, And the little ones He bless’d. Sweet, &c.

Up in yonder spirit regions, Angels sound the chorus high; Twice ten thousand times ten thousand Send his praises through the sky. Sweet, &c.

Little children, praise the Saviour; Praise Him, your undying Friend; Praise Him till in heaven you meet Him, There to praise Him without end. Sweet, &c.

56.

And now, my soul, another year Of my short life is past; I cannot long continue here, And this may be my last.

Much of my dubious life is gone, Nor will return again; And swift my passing moments run, The few that do remain.

Awake, my soul, with utmost care Thy true condition learn: What are thy hopes, how sure, how fair, And what thy great concern?

Now a new scene of time begins, Set out afresh for heaven; Seek pardon for thy former sins, In Christ, so freely given.

57.

Blest is the man whose heart expands At melting pity’s call; And the rich blessings of whose hands Like heavenly manna fall.

Children our kind protection claim, And God will well approve, When infants learn to lisp his name, And their Creator love.

Be ours the bliss, in wisdom’s way To guide untutored youth; And lead the mind that went astray, To virtue and to truth.

Almighty God! thine influence shed To aid this good design; The honours of thy name be spread, And all the glory thine.

58.

Behold a stranger at the door; He gently knocks, has knock’d before, Has waited long, is waiting still: you use no other friend so ill. Rise, touch’d with gratitude divine, turn out his enemy and thine; Turn out the hateful monster, sin, and let the heavenly Stranger in.

Admit Him, ere his anger burn, lest He depart and ne’er return; Admit Him, or the hour’s at hand when at his door denied you’ll stand. Yet know, nor of the terms complain, where Jesus comes, He comes to reign! Sovereign of souls! Thou Prince of Peace! Oh, may Thy gentle reign increase!

59.

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.

60.

Awake, ye Christians! arise and sing, And hail the happy morn Whereon your glorious heavenly King In Bethlehem was born.

No earthly crown bedecked his brow, No splendour there displayed; The humble Jesus, meek and low, Was in a manger laid.

Though meek and lowly he appeared Amongst the sons of men, The glorious tidings soon were heard Through Judah’s fertile plain.

As shepherds watched their flocks by night, A glorious sight appeared; Filled with amazement at the sight, An angel’s voice they heard.

The heavenly choir in view appeared, With sweet seraphic voice, And soon the Saviour’s name was heard, They bade mankind rejoice.

To Bethlehem, then, the shepherds went, To worship at his feet; Their minds were filled with sweet content, Their Saviour God they greet.

Come, own the sins of all the year, Of all your lives, and pray; Don’t add more crimes and vengeance dare, Abusing Christmas-day.

61.

Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee: Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver, born a Child and yet a King; Born to reign in us for ever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring; By Thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone; By Thine all-sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.

62.

High let us swell our tuneful notes, And join th’ angelic throng, For angels no such love have known, T’ awake a cheerful song.

Good-will to sinful men is shown, And peace on earth is given; For, lo! the incarnate Saviour comes With messages from heaven.

Justice and grace with sweet accord His rising beams adorn; Let heaven and earth in concert join, To us a Child is born.

Glory to God in highest strains, In highest worlds be paid; His glory by our lips proclaimed, And by our lives displayed.

When shall we reach those blissful realms, Where Christ exalted reigns; And learn of the celestial choir Their own immortal strains?

63.

Welcome, sweet day of rest, That saw the Lord arise; Welcome to this reviving breast, And these rejoicing eyes.

The King himself comes near, And feasts his saints to-day; Here may we sit, and see him here, And love, and praise, and pray.

One day amidst the place Where thou, my God, art seen, Is sweeter than ten thousand days Spent in the joys of sin.

64.