Scripture Verse

For unto you is born…in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Introduction

portrait
Ben Jonson
1573–1637

Words: Ben Jon­son (1573–1637). Pub­lished in his Un­der­woods, in the se­cond vol­ume (fo­lio) of his Works, pub­lished in 1640.

Music: Me­li­ta John B. Dykes, in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1861 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

illustration
Nativity
Lorenzo Lotto
1480–1556

Lyrics

I sing the birth was born tonight,
The Author both of life and light;
The angels so did sound it,
And like the ravished shepherds said,
Who saw the light, and were afraid,
Yet searched, and true they found it.

The Son of God, th’eternal King,
That did us all salvation bring,
And freed the soul from danger;
He whom the whole world could not take,
The Word, which Heaven and earth did make,
Was now laid in a manger.

The Father’s wisdom willed it so,
The Son’s obedience knew no No,
Both wills were in one stature;
And as that wisdom had decreed,
The Word was now made flesh indeed,
And took on Him our nature.

What comfort by Him do we win?
Who made Himself the Prince of sin,
To make us heirs of glory?
To see this babe, all innocence,
A martyr born in our defense,
Can man forget this story?