And, lo! an angel of the Lord Appeared before their eyes, And they were filled with sore affright, With wonder and surprise.
The angel said to them: "Fear not, For I have come to tell News of the joyfullest event The world has e'er befell.
"For, this day, unto you is born, In David's' city fair, A Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord, And David's lineal heir.
"And this shall be a sign to you That true is what I've said: You'll find the babe in swaddling clothes, And in a manger laid."
Then suddenly a crowd appeared Of spirits, bright and fair, And their glad voices, praising God, Resounded through the air.
"Glory to God," they sweetly chant, Who reigns in highest heaven, And peace on earth for evermore, And love to men be given.
Thus singing, shining, up they went Away to heaven again; And night and silence were restored To ancient Bethlehem's plain.
"Come," said the shepherds, "let us go Into the city old, And see the strange, mysterious child, Of whom we have been told."
And, leaving there their flocks, they went Into the town near by; And found the babe, as they had heard, His gentle mother nigh.
And, having seen him, they made known, To people all abroad, The things that had been told to them About the Son of God.
The people listened to the news With very great surprise, The wondrous things the shepherds heard, And witnessed with their eyes.
But these strange things within her heart The mother kept concealed, And pondered o'er them, nor her thoughts To any she revealed.
The shepherds, thrilled with gladness, praised The God of heaven above, For all things they had heard and seen Of His unbounded love.
NOW, when a week had passed, the babe Received the sacred sign Which God to Abraham had given, As covenant divine.
They gave him Jesus for his name, According to the word Of the archangel Gabriel, Who stands before the Lord.
And, then, a few weeks later, To Jerusalem they went, Before the great Jehovah The young child to present;
And to offer, on the altar, In thankful sacrifice, A pair of doves, or pigeons, Of small and humble price.
At that time, in the temple gate, There was an aged saint, Who waited for the promised Christ Nor did his firm faith faint.
A just and righteous man was he, And Simeon was his name, And the Holy Ghost, with power, Upon his spirit came.