Scripture Verse

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Introduction

portrait
Isaac Meredith (1872–1962)

Words: An­na H. Mun­son, in Sun­day School Hymns No. 2, ed­it­ed by Is­aac Me­re­dith & Grant C. Tull­ar (New York & Chi­ca­go, Il­linois: Tul­lar-Me­re­dith, 1912), num­ber 223.

Music: Is­aac H. Me­re­dith (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Mun­son’s full name, or where to get a good pho­to of her (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

illustration
Adoration of the Shepherds
Gerard van Honthorst (1590–1656)

In the town of Beth­l’em, one star­ry night,
The Prince of Peace was sent to earth;
With a won­drous glo­ry, a star was shin­ing bright,
Beaming ov­er the man­ger of His birth.

Refrain

’Tis the birth­day of the King,
’Tis the birth­day of the King;
He was sent from Heav’n above,
God’s own pre­cious gift of love,
’Tis the birth­day of the King.

Shepherds saw with won­der in Heav’n the star,
To Him their gifts the sag­es bring;
At His feet to wor­ship they jour­neyed from afar,
Gladly singing ho­san­nas to their king.

Refrain

Angels joined the chor­us from out the sky,
Goodwill and peace pro­claimed to men;
Let us swell the an­them of voic­es from on high
As we wel­come His birth­day once again.

Refrain