The Hymnal ‎#176

176. Christians, awake! salute the happy morn

1 Christians, awake! salute the happy morn
Whereon the Savior 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.

2 Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard the angelic herald's voice: "Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Savior's birth
To you, and all the nations upon earth.
This day hath God fulfilled His promised word;
This day is born a Savior, Christ the Lord."

3 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 orb with alleluias rang:
God's highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace upon earth, and mutual good will.

4 To Bethlehem straight the enlightened shepherds ran,
To see the wonder God had wrought for man;
And found, with Joseph and the blessèd maid,
Her Son, the Savior, in a manger laid:
Amazed, the wondrous story they proclaim,
The first apostles of His infant fame.

5. Let us, like these good shepherds, then, employ
Our grateful voices to proclaim the joy;
Trace we the Babe, who has 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.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Christians, awake! salute the happy morn
• Author: John Byrom (publ. 1879)
• Meter: 10.10.10.10.10.10.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1895

Tune Information

(No tune information)