Scripture Verse

God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but shall have eternal life. John 3:16

Introduction

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John M. Neale (1818–1866)
Wikipedia

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Words: Hein­rich Su­so (?–1366). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by John M. Neale in Ca­rols for Christ­mas­tide (Lon­don: 1853). Folk­lore has it that Su­so, hear­ing an­gels sing these words, joined them in a dance of wor­ship.

Music: In Dul­ci Ju­bi­lo 14th Cen­tu­ry Ger­man tune. Har­mo­ny from Christ­mas Ca­rols Old and New, 1871 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Lyrics

Good Chris­tian men, re­joice
With heart and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
News! News! Je­sus Christ is born to­day;
Ox and ass be­fore Him bow;
And He is in the man­ger now.
Christ is born to­day!
Christ is born to­day!

Good Chris­tian men, re­joice,
With heart and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of end­less bliss:
Joy! Joy! Je­sus Christ was born for this!
He has op­ened the hea­ven­ly door,
And man is blest for­ev­er­more.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!

Good Chris­tian men, re­joice,
With heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Peace! Peace! Je­sus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all,
To gain His ev­er­last­ing hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!