| Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
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| Whereon the Saviour of the world was born
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| Rise to adore the mystery of love
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| Which hosts of angels chanted from above
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| With them the joyful tidings first begun
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| Of God incarnate and the Virgin’s Son.
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| Then to the watchful shepherds it was told
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| Who heard the angelic herald’s voice: «Behold,
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| I bring good tidings of a Saviour’s birth
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| To you and all the nations upon earth
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| This day hath God fulfilled His promised word;
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| This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.»
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| He spake, and straightaway the celestial choir
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| In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire
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| The praises of redeeming love they sang
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| And heaven’s whole orb with alleluias rang
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| God’s highest glory was their anthem still
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| Peace upon earth and unto men goodwill.
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| To Bethlehem straight the shepherds ran
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| To see the wonder God had wrought for man
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| And found, with Joseph and the blessed Maid
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| Her Son, the Saviour, in a manger laid
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| Amazed, the wondrous story they proclaim
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| The earliest heralds of the Saviour’s name. |
| Let us, like these good shepherds, them employ
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| Our grateful voices to proclaim the joy
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| Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss
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| From His poor manger to His bitter cross
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| Treading His steps, assisted by His grace
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| Till man’s first heavenly state again takes place.
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| Then may we hope, the angelic thrones among
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| To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song
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| He that was born upon this joyful day
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| Around us all His glory shall display
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| Saved by His love, incessant we shall sing
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| Of angels and of angel-men the King… |