While shep­herds kept their flocks by night,
An an­gel clothed with pow­er and light,
Did to the shep­herds there ap­pear,
Which filled their minds with dread and fear.

But to their com­fort thus he said,
“Dear shep­herds, be ye not afraid:
I have a mes­sage un­to you,
Exceeding joy­ful, great and true.

“This day is born in Da­vid’s town,
The migh­ty prince of great re­nown;
The Lord and Sav­ior of man­kind;
In Beth­le­hem ye shall Him find.

There He is in a man­ger laid,
And there to hu­man view dis­played;
He, who hath all at His com­mands,
Is there a babe in swath­ing bands.

Then did an­gel­ic host ap­pear,
And sheph­erds songs of praise did hear:
All glo­ry be to God on high!
Who brings to us sal­va­tion nigh.

O hap­py news sent down from Heav’n!
Since peace to man on earth is giv’n;
Good will from God to man shall be,
And bless­ings to eter­ni­ty.