10. The sweetest Friend of man Thou art, Yet many hate Thee in their heart; By Herod’s heart Thou art abhorred, Yet Thou art our Salvation, Lord. Hallelujah! 11. But I, Thy humblest servant, may Confess my love and freely say, I love Thee truly, but I would That I might love Thee as I should. Hallelujah! 12. I have the will, the power is weak, Yet, Lord, my humble offering take And graciously the love receive Which my poor heart to Thee can give. Hallelujah! 13. Thou to be weak dost not disdain, Dost choose the things the world deems vain, Art poor and needy and content To suffer poverty and want. Hallelujah! 14. Thou sleepest on the lap of earth; The manger where Thou at Thy birth Wast laid to rest, the hay, the stall, Were mean and miserable all. Hallelujah! 15. And therefore doth my courage rise, Me also Thou wilt not despise; O dearest Lord, Thy tender grace Fills me with hope and happiness. Hallelujah! 16. Although I’ve passed in sin my days And wandered far from wisdom’s ways, Yet Thou for this to earth hast come, To bring the wandering sinner home. Hallelujah! 17. Had I no load of sin to bear, Thy grace, O Lord, I could not share; In vain had’st Thou been born for me If from God’s wrath I had been free. Hallelujah! 18. Now fearlessly I come to Thee, From every grief Thou mak’st me free; Thou bear’st the wrath, dost death destroy, And turnest sorrow into joy. Hallelujah! 19. Thou art my Head, my Lord divine; I am Thy member, wholly Thine, And by Thy Spirit’s gracious power Will seek to serve Thee evermore. Hallelujah! 20. I’ll sing loud hallelujahs here With joyful spirit year by year; And in Thy courts of joy above Forever I will sing Thy love. Hallelujah! Paul Gerhardt, 1653; C. Winkworth, tr., a. 162 L. M. To shepherds, as they watched by night, Appeared a troop of angels bright; Behold the tender Babe, they said, In yonder lowly manger laid, 2. At Bethlehem, in David’s town, As Micah did of old make known; ’Tis Jesus Christ, your Lord and King, Who doth to all salvation bring. 3. Rejoice ye, then, that through His Son God is with sinners now at one; Made like yourselves of flesh and blood, Your Brother is th’ eternal God. 4. What harm can sin and death, then, do? The true God now abides with you. Let hell and Satan rage and chafe, God is your Brother—ye are safe. 5. Not one He will, nor can, forsake Who Him his confidence doth make; E’en if their worst your en’mies try, Ye may their powerless rage defy.