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Cheer'd by its beams our souls
Shall run the heavenly way;

The path, which Christ hath mark'd and trod, Leads to eternal day.

3

Prepare the song of praise,

To hail th' incarnate King!

He comes! the promised Saviour comes! Your glad hosannas bring.

"Glory to God on high;

And heavenly peace on earth; Good-will to man," with angels sing, At your Redeemer's birth.

Christmas Day.

36. The angels appearing to the shepherds Luke ii. 8.&c. (6. 10.)

1 CHRISTIANS awake! salute the happy morn, Whereon the Saviour of mankind was born; Rise to adore the mystery of love,

Which hosts of angels chanted from above: With them the joyful tidings first begun, Of God Incarnate, and the Virgin's Son. 2 Then to the watchful shepherds it was told, Who heard the' angelic herald's voice, "Behold,

"I bring good tidings of a Saviour's birth, 66 Το you, and all the nations upon earth;

"This day hath God fulfill'd His promis'd word,

"This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord."

3 He spake; and straightway the celestial choir,

In hymns of joy unknown before conspire; The praises of redeeming love they sang, And heaven's whole orb with hallelujahs

rang;

God's highest glory was their anthem still, 66 Peace upon earth, and unto men goodwill."

4 To Bethlehem straight the' enlightened shepherds ran,

To see the wonders God had wrought for

man ;

Then to their flocks, still praising God, re

turn,

And their glad hearts within their bosoms burn;

To all the joyful tidings they proclaim, The first Apostles of the Saviour's fame. 5 O may we keep and ponder in our mind God's wondrous love in saving lost man

kind;

Trace we the Babe, who hath retriev'd our loss,

From the poor manger to the bitter cross;

Tread in His steps, assisted by His grace, Till man's first heavenly state again takes place.

6 Then may we hope, the' angelic hosts

among,

To join, redeem'd, a glad triumphant

throng:

He that was born upon this joyful day, Around us all His glory shall display: Saved by His love incessant we shall sing Eternal praise to heaven's Almighty King.

37. The birth of Christ.

(4. 7.)

1 HARK! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King;
"Glory in the highest heaven,
"Peace on earth, and man forgiven."

2 Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born at Bethlehem!"

3 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.

4 Lo! He lays His glories by,
Born, that man no more may die;
Born, to raise the sons of earth,
Born, to give them second birth.

5 Let us then with angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King;
"Glory in the highest heaven,
"Peace on earth and man forgiven."

38. Invitation to worship Christ.

P. M.

1 ANGELS, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth; Ye, who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth: Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born King. 2 Shepherds, in the field abiding,

Watching o'er your flocks by night, God with man is now residing; Yonder shines the infant light : Come and worship,

Worship Christ, the new-born King.

3 Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations,
Ye have seen His natal star:
Come and worship.

Worship Christ, the new-born King.

4 Saints, before the altar bending,
Waiting long with hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:
Come and worship,

Worship Christ, the new-born King.

5 Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doom'd for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now repeals the sentence,
Mercy calls you,-break your chains:
Come and worship,

Worship Christ, the new-born King.

39. Praise for the birth of Christ.

C. M.

1 HIGH let us swell our tuneful notes,
And join the' angelic throng,

For angels no such love have known,
To awake a cheerful song.

2 Good-will to sinful men is shown,
And peace on earth is given;
For, lo! the incarnate Saviour comes
With messages from heaven.

3 Justice and grace, with sweet accord,
His rising beams adorn;

Let heaven and earth in concert join,
To us a Child is born.

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