There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Luke 2:8–9
Words: Edward Caswall, in Easy Hymn Tunes…Adapted for Catholic Schools, 1851, and later in Caswall’s Masque of Mary, 1858, pages 259–60.
See amid the winter’s snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See, the gentle Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.
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Hail thou ever blessèd morn!
Hail redemption’s happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem:
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He who, throned in height sublime,
Sits amid the cherubim!
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Say, you holy shepherds, say,
Tell your joyful news today;
Wherefore have you left your sheep
On the lonely mountain steep?
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As we watched at dead of night,
Lo, we saw a wondrous light;
Angels singing Peace on earth
Told us of the Savior’s birth.
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Sacred Infant, all divine,
What a tender love was Thine;
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this.
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Teach, O teach us, holy Child,
By Thy face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee,
In Thy sweet humility!
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