Scripture Verse

Good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10

Introduction

portrait
John B. Dykes (1823–1876)

Words: Will­iam Bright, in The Child­ren’s Hym­nal, ed­it­ed by John I. Tuck­er (New York: F. J. Hunt­ing­ton, 1874).

Music: John B. Dykes (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
William Bright (1824–1901)

Lyrics

Once again, O blessèd time,
Thankful hearts embrace thee;
If we lost thy festal chime,
What could ever replace thee?
What could ever replace thee?
Change will darken many a day,
Many a bond dissever;
Many a joy shall pass away,
But the Great Joy ne­ver.
But the Great Joy ne­ver.
But the Great Joy ne­ver!

Once again the holy night
Breathes its blessing tender;
Once again the manger light
Sheds its gentle splendor,
Sheds its gentle splendor;
Oh! could tongues by angels taught
Speak our exultation
In the virgin’s child that brought
All mankind sal­va­tion?
In the virgin’s child that brought
All mankind sal­va­tion?
All mankind sal­va­tion?
All mankind sal­va­tion?

Welcome Thou to souls athirst,
Fount of endless pleasure:
Gates of Hell may do their worst,
While we clasp our Treasure,
While we clasp our Treasure;
Welcome, though an age like this
Puts Thy name on trial,
And the truth that makes our bliss
Pleads against denial,
Pleads against denial,
Pleads against denial!

Yea, if others stand apart,
We will press the nearer;
Yea, O best fraternal Heart,
We will hold Thee dearer,
We will hold Thee dearer;
Faithful lips shall answer thus
To all faithless scorning,
Je­sus Christ is God with us,
Born on Christ­mas morning.

Born on Christ­mas morning.
Born on Christ­mas morning.

So we yield Thee all we can,
Worship, thanks, and blessing;
Thee true God, and Thee true Man,
On our knees confessing;
While Thy birthday morn we greet
With our best devotion,
Bathe us, O most true and sweet!
In Thy mercy’s ocean.
Bathe us, O most true and sweet!
In Thy mercy’s ocean.
In Thy mercy’s ocean.

Thou that once, ’mid stable cold,
Wast in babe-clothes lying,
Thou whose altar veils enfold
Power and life undying,
Power and life undying;
Thou whose love bestows a worth
On each poor endeavor,
Have Thou joy of this Thy birth
In our praise for­ev­er.
In our praise for­ev­er.
In our praise for­ev­er.