Christians, awake! Salute the happy morn

Christians, awake! salute the happy morn
on which the Saviour of the world was born;
rise to adore the mystery of his love
which hosts of angels chanted from above!
With them the joyful tidings first begun
of God incarnate, born 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
to you and all the nations here on earth!
This day has God fulfilled his promised word;
this day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord!’

3. To Bethlehem these eager shepherds ran
to see the wonder of our God made man;
they found, with Joseph and the holy maid,
her son, the Saviour, in a manger laid.
Amazed, with joy this story they proclaim,
the first apostles of his infant fame.

4. O may we keep and ponder in our mind
God’s wondrous love in saving lost mankind:
trace we the babe, who has retrieved our loss,
from his poor manger to his bitter cross;
tread in his steps, assisted by his grace,
till man’s first heavenly state again takes place.

5. Let us, like those good shepherds, now employ
our grateful voices to declare the joy:
Christ, who was born on this most happy day,
round all the earth his glory shall display.
Saved by his love, unceasing we shall sing,
eternal praise to heaven’s almighty King.