Shepherds keep­ing watch by night,
Saw around a glo­ri­ous light;
Heard an an­gel then pro­claim,
Christ is born in Beth­le­hem!

Refrain

Ring the mer­ry songs to­day,
Sweetly chime Mes­si­ah’s morn;
Glad we hail this peace­ful way,
Christ the Lord for man is born!

Soon by ma­ny a heav’n­ly tongue
Glory be to God was sung,
Peace on earth, good will to men,
Christ is born in Beth­le­hem.

Refrain

Joyful tid­ings to man­kind!
Richest grace they now may find;
Children, too, this grace may claim,
Christ is born in Beth­le­hem.

Refrain

Oh! how great His grace and love,
Thus to leave His throne ab­ove;
Thus to bear our guilt and shame,
And be born in Beth­le­hem.

Refrain

Lord! ac­cept our warm­est praise
For this con­des­cend­ing grace,
And our hearts with love in­flame,
For Thy birth in Beth­le­hem.

Refrain