Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son.
Isaiah 7:14
Words: Isaac Watts, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Book 1, 1707, number 3. The nativity of Christ.
Music: Festal Song William H. Walter, in the Episcopal Hymnal with Tunes Old and New, by John I. Tucker, 1872 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good photo of Walter (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), would you ?
Behold, the grace appears,
The promise is fulfilled;
Mary, the wondrous virgin, bears,
And Jesus is the Child.
The Lord, the highest God,
Calls Him His only Son;
He bids Him rule the lands abroad,
And gives Him David’s throne.
O’er Jacob shall He reign
With a peculiar sway;
The nations shall His grace obtain,
His kingdom ne’er decay.
To bring the glorious news
A heav’nly form appears;
He tells the shepherds of their joys,
And banishes their fears.
Go, humble swains,
said he,
To David’s city fly;
The promised Infant, born today,
Doth in a manger lie.
With looks and hearts serene,
;
Go visit Christ your king
And straight a flaming troop was seen:
The shepherds heard them sing:
Glory to God on high!
And heav’nly peace on earth;
Goodwill to men, to angels joy,
At our Redeemer’s birth!
In worship so divine,
Let saints employ their tongues;
With the celestial hosts we join,
And loud repeat their songs:
Glory to God on high!
And heav’nly peace on earth;
Goodwill to men, to angels joy,
At our Redeemer’s birth!