Produced by hekula03, Stephen Hutcheson, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) 88 FAVOURITE CAROLS AND HYMNS FOR CHRISTMAS. OTLEY: WILLIAM WALKER AND SONS. CHRISTMAS HYMNS. 1. 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 glad 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. “In David’s city, shepherds, ye shall find The long foretold Redeemer of mankind, Wrapt up in swaddling clothes, the Babe divine Lies in a manger—this shall be your sign.” He spake, and straightway the celestial choir In hymns of joy unknown before conspire. The praises of redeeming love they sung, And heaven’s whole arch with hallelujahs rung! God’s highest glory was their anthem still, Peace upon earth, and mutual good will. To Bethlehem straight the enlighten’d shepherds ran, To see the wonder God had wrought for man. Artless and watchful as these favour’d swains, While virgin meekness in their hearts remains; Trace we the Babe, who has retriev’d our loss, From his poor manger to his bitter cross; Tread in his steps, assisted by his grace, Till man’s first heavenly state again takes place; Then we may hope, the angelic thrones among, To find redeem’d a glad triumphant throng; He that was born upon that joyful day, Around us all his glory shall display: Sav’d by his love, incessant we shall sing Eternal praise to heaven’s all-powerful King. 2. Shepherds, rejoice, lift up your eyes, And send your fears away; News from the regions of the skies, A Saviour’s born to-day! Jesus, the God whom angels fear, Comes down to dwell with you; To-day he makes his entrance here, But not as monarchs do. Go, Shepherds, where the Infant lies, And see his humble throne; With tears of joy in all your eyes, Go, shepherds, kiss the Son. Glory to God, who reigns above! Let peace surround the earth! Mortals shall know their Maker’s love, At their Redeemer’s birth. Lord! and shall angels have their songs, And men no tune to raise? O may we lose these useless tongues When we forget to praise!