1 The happy Christmas comes once more;
The heav'nly Guest is at the door,
The blessed words the shepherds thrill,
The joyous tidings: Peace, goodwill.
2 To David's city let us fly,
Where angels sing beneath the sky;
Through plainand village pressing near,
And news from God with shepherds hear.
3 O let us go with quiet mind,
The gentle Babe with shepherds find,
To gaze on Him who gladdens them,
The loveliest flow'r on Jesse's stem.
4 The lowly Savior meekly lies,
Laid off the splendor of the skies;
No crown bedecks His forehead fair,
No pearl, nor gem, nor silk is there.
5 No human glory, might, and gold,
The lovely infant's form enfold;
The manger and the swaddlings poor
Are His, whom angels' songs adore.
6 O wake our hearts, in gladness sing,
And keep our Christmas with our King,
Till living song, from loving souls,
Like sound of mighty water rolls!
7 O holy Child, Thy manger gleams
Till earth and heav'n glow with it beams,
Till midnight hath noon's brightness won,
And Jacob's Star outshines the sun.
8 Thou patriarchs' joy, Thou prophets' song,
Thou heav'nly Day-spring looked for long,
Thou Son of Man, incarnate Word,
Great David's Son, great David's Lord!
9 Come, Jesus, glorious heav'nly Guest,
Keep Thine own Christmas in our breast;
Then David's harp-string, hushed so long,
Shall swell our jubilee of song.