Be ours the bliss, in wisdom’s way To guide untutored youth; And lead the mind that went astray, To virtue and to truth. Almighty God! thine influence shed To aid this good design; The honours of thy name be spread, And all the glory thine. 58. Behold a stranger at the door; He gently knocks, has knock’d before, Has waited long, is waiting still: you use no other friend so ill. Rise, touch’d with gratitude divine, turn out his enemy and thine; Turn out the hateful monster, sin, and let the heavenly Stranger in. Admit Him, ere his anger burn, lest He depart and ne’er return; Admit Him, or the hour’s at hand when at his door denied you’ll stand. Yet know, nor of the terms complain, where Jesus comes, He comes to reign! Sovereign of souls! Thou Prince of Peace! Oh, may Thy gentle reign increase! 59. Let Christians now in joyful mirth, The young and old, both great and small, Still think upon a Saviour’s birth, Who brought salvation to us all. And thus when God his Son did send, Whom cruel Jews did hold in scorn, No pompous train did there attend This King of Kings, when he was born. No place but in an ox’s stall, The place of his nativity. Indeed, this should instruct us all To learn of him humility. ’Twas in King David’s city, then, As Holy Scriptures make appear, And in the time of taxing, when They came in throngs both far and near. The Virgin Mary, then by name, And Joseph most exceeding kind, When they into the city came, No habitation could they find. But in a stable mean, where they Continued till the blessed morn: Let us rejoice and keep this day, Whereon the Lord of Life was born. 60. Awake, ye Christians! arise and sing, And hail the happy morn Whereon your glorious heavenly King In Bethlehem was born. No earthly crown bedecked his brow, No splendour there displayed; The humble Jesus, meek and low, Was in a manger laid. Though meek and lowly he appeared Amongst the sons of men, The glorious tidings soon were heard Through Judah’s fertile plain. As shepherds watched their flocks by night, A glorious sight appeared; Filled with amazement at the sight, An angel’s voice they heard. The heavenly choir in view appeared, With sweet seraphic voice, And soon the Saviour’s name was heard, They bade mankind rejoice. To Bethlehem, then, the shepherds went, To worship at his feet; Their minds were filled with sweet content, Their Saviour God they greet. Come, own the sins of all the year, Of all your lives, and pray; Don’t add more crimes and vengeance dare, Abusing Christmas-day. 61.