Christians, awake, salute the happy morn,
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born.
Rise to adore the mystery of love,
Which hosts of angels chanted from above;
With them the joyful tidings first began
Of God incarnate and the virgin’s son.

Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard th’ 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 sung,
And heav’ns whole orb with hallelujahs rung;
God’s highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace upon earth, and mutual goodwill.

Let us, like these good shepherds, then, employ
Our grateful voices to proclaim the joy,
Like Mary, let us ponder in our mind
God’s wondrous love in saving lost mankind;
Artless and watchful, as these favour’d swains,
While virgin meekness in the heart remains.

Then we may hope, th’ 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.

John Byrom (1692-1763)

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Saviour of the world 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 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 heav’n’s whole orb with alleluyas rang:
God’s highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace on the earth, and unto men goodwill.

John Byrom (1692-1763)

Christians awake, salue the happy morn,
Whereon the Saviour of mankind 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.
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 the earth;
This day hath God fulfilled His promised Word;
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.’

John Byrom (1692-1763)

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Saviour of mankind 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.’

John Byrom (1692-1763)