Scripture Verse

A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests. Luke 2:13–14

Introduction

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James Montgomery
1771–1854
National Portrait Gallery

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Words: James Mont­gom­ery, in his Shef­field news­pap­er, the Ir­is, Christ­mas Eve, 1816. It was re­pub­lished in the Chris­tian Psalm­ist, 1825. Stan­za 5 is from The Christ­mas Box, 1825.

Music: Re­gent Square Hen­ry T. Smart, in Psalms and Hymns for Di­vine Wor­ship (Lon­don: 1867) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

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Henry T. Smart
1813–1879

Lyrics

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.

Refrain

Come and wor­ship, come and wor­ship,
Worship Christ, the new­born king.

Shepherds, in the field abid­ing,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now re­sid­ing;
Yonder shines the in­fant light:

Refrain

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

Refrain

Saints, be­fore the al­tar bend­ing,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, des­cend­ing,
In His tem­ple shall a­ppear.

Refrain

Sinners, wrung with true re­pent­ance,
Doomed for guilt to end­less pains,
Justice now re­vokes the sen­tence,
Mercy calls you; break your chains.

Refrain

Though an infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Fa­ther’s throne,
Gather all the na­tions to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:

Refrain

All cre­ation, join in prais­ing
God, the Fa­ther, Spir­it, Son,
Evermore your voic­es rais­ing
To th’eter­nal Three in One.

Refrain

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Christmas Carols Old and New, 1871

Lord of Heaven, we adore Thee,
God the Father, God the Son,
God the Spirit, One in glory,
On the same eternal throne.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Lord of Heaven, Three in One.