Christians, awake! (Christians, awake, salute the happy morn)

1 Christians, awake! Salute the happy morn
on which the saviour of the world 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 First, to the watchful shepherds it was told,
who heard the herald angel's voice: 'Behold,
I bring good news of your Messiah'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,
Jesus, the saviour, in a manger laid.
Amazed, with joy this story they proclaim,
the first apostles of his infant fame.

4 Let us, like those good shepherds, now employ
our grateful voices to declare the joy:
trace we the babe, who has redeemed our loss,
from this poor manger to his bitter cross;
treading his steps, assisted by his grace,
by faith again we see the Saviour's face.

5 Glory to God! The skies are singing still,
peace on the earth to people of goodwill!
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.

Jubilate Hymns version of 'Christians, awake, salute the happy morn', John Byrom (1692 NS - 1763)
© Jubilate Hymns Ltd
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