Cheer'd by its beams our souls The path, which Christ hath mark'd and trod, Leads to eternal day. 3 Prepare the song of praise, To hail th' incarnate King! He comes! the promised Saviour comes! Your glad hosannas bring. "Glory to God on high; And heavenly peace on earth; Good-will to man," with angels sing, At your Redeemer's birth. Christmas Day. 36. The angels appearing to the shepherds Luke ii. 8.&c. (6. 10.) 1 CHRISTIANS awake! salute the happy morn, Whereon the Saviour of mankind 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 Saviour's birth, 66 Το you, and all the nations upon earth; "This day hath God fulfill'd His promis'd word, "This day is born a Saviour, 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 hallelujahs rang; God's highest glory was their anthem still, 66 Peace upon earth, and unto men goodwill." 4 To Bethlehem straight the' enlightened shepherds ran, To see the wonders God had wrought for man ; Then to their flocks, still praising God, re turn, And their glad hearts within their bosoms burn; To all the joyful tidings they proclaim, The first Apostles of the Saviour's fame. 5 O may we keep and ponder in our mind God's wondrous love in saving lost man kind; Trace we the Babe, who hath retriev'd our loss, From the poor manger to the bitter cross; Tread in His steps, assisted by His grace, Till man's first heavenly state again takes place. 6 Then may we hope, the' angelic hosts among, To join, redeem'd, a glad triumphant throng: He that was born upon this joyful day, Around us all His glory shall display: Saved by His love incessant we shall sing Eternal praise to heaven's Almighty King. 37. The birth of Christ. (4. 7.) 1 HARK! the herald angels sing, 2 Joyful, all ye nations, rise, 3 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! 4 Lo! He lays His glories by, 5 Let us then with angels sing, 38. Invitation to worship Christ. P. M. 1 ANGELS, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth; Ye, who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth: Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born King. 2 Shepherds, in the field abiding, Watching o'er your flocks by night, God with man is now residing; Yonder shines the infant light : Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born King. 3 Sages, leave your contemplations, Worship Christ, the new-born King. 4 Saints, before the altar bending, Worship Christ, the new-born King. 5 Sinners, wrung with true repentance, Worship Christ, the new-born King. 39. Praise for the birth of Christ. C. M. 1 HIGH let us swell our tuneful notes, For angels no such love have known, 2 Good-will to sinful men is shown, 3 Justice and grace, with sweet accord, Let heaven and earth in concert join, |