Scripture Verse

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Introduction

portrait
John Brownlie (1857–1925)

Words: John of Da­mas­cus (675–749) (Δό­ξα ἐν ὑψίσ­τοις θεῷ). Trans­lat­ed from Greek to Eng­lish by John Bron­lie, Hymns of the Greek Church (Ed­in­burgh & Lon­don: Oli­phant, An­der­son & Fer­ri­er, 1900), pag­es 33–34.

Music: Goethe, ano­ny­mous (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

portrait
John of Damascus (675–749)

Lyrics

Bethlehem re­joic­es,
Hark the voic­es clear,
Singing in the star­light
Nearer and more near.

Refrain

Unto God be glo­ry,
Peace to men be giv­en,
This His will who dwell­eth
In the heights of Hea­ven.

Heaven can not con­tain Him,
Nor the bounds of earth,
Yet, O glo­ri­ous mys­te­ry!
Virgin gives Him birth.

Refrain

No the light aris­eth
In the dark­ened skies,
No the proud are hum­bled
And the low­ly rise.

Refrain