Scripture Verse

Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2

Introduction

Words: Charles Wes­ley, Hymns for the Na­tion, and Hymns for the Na­tion­al Fast Day 1782.

Music: Tru­ro, from Psal­mo­dia Ev­an­ge­li­ca, by Tho­mas Will­iams, 1789 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

portrait
Charles Wesley (1707–1788)

Lyrics

To us a child of roy­al birth,
Heir of the pro­mis­es, is giv’n;
The In­vi­si­ble ap­pears on earth,
The Son of Man, the God of Hea­ven.

A sav­ior born, in love su­preme
He comes our fall­en souls to raise;
He comes His peo­ple to re­deem
With all His ple­ni­tude of grace.

The Christ, by rap­tured seers fore­told,
Filled with the eter­nal Spir­it’s pow­er,
Prophet, and priest, and king be­hold,
And Lord of all the worlds adore.

The Lord of hosts, the God most high,
Who quits His throne on earth to live,
With joy we wel­come from the sky,
With faith in­to our hearts re­ceive.