The sinful earth was sunk in woe:
No arm was found of power to save;
The Son of God appeared below,
To conquer death and spoil the grave.
His mother was a lowly maid
Of David’s lineage, undefiled;
Her infant on her breast she laid,
To sight a meek and helpless child.

An angel bade the shepherds bless
That holy Child to mortals given;
And o’er Him lingered motionless
A star that lit the nightly heaven.
Lo, with that angel heaven’s highest
Sang choral chant in bright array;
Lo, by that star the Holy Ghost
Brought eastern sages where He lay.

The words of truth His goodness tell;
For us He lived, He died, He broke
The chains of sin, the gates of hell,
And bade us wear His easy yoke.
Then make we not of none effect
His love in Hea­ven, His woes on earth,
But hail today with His elect
The joyful tidings of His birth.