Scripture Verse

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Introduction

Words: John Ca­wood, in Cot­ter­ill’s Se­lect­ions, 1819.

Music: Fes­tal Song Will­iam H. Wal­ter, in the Epis­co­pal Hym­nal with Tunes Old and New, by John I. Tuck­er, 1872 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Ca­wood or Wal­ter (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Begin a joy­ful song,
To hail this hap­py morn:
Glad tidi­ngs from an an­gel’s tongue,
This day is Je­sus born!

What com­forts doth His name
To sin­ful men af­ford!
His glo­ri­ous ti­tles we pro­claim—
A Sav­ior—Christ—the Lord!

Now wrapped in swad­dling bands,
Behold the eter­nal Son!
A sta­ble for His pa­lace stands,
A man­ger for His throne!

Glory to God on high,
All hail the hap­py morn!
Come join the an­thems of the sky—
This day is Je­sus born!