Scripture Verse

Suddenly there as…a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toard men. Luke 2:13–14

Introduction

portrait
Ferdinand Q. Blanchard
(1876–1966)

Words: Fer­di­nand Q. Blan­chard, 1909.

Music: Thanks­giv­ing (Gil­bert) Wal­ter B. Gil­bert, 1862 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a bet­ter pho­to of Gilbert,

portrait
Walter B. Gilbert (1829–1910)

Lyrics

Bethlehem sleeps be­neath the stars,
Midst the mys­te­ry of the night;
But where shep­herds watch their flocks,
Lo! there shines a won­drous light.
Clear a joy­ous chor­us swells,
Peals in tri­umph through the sky,
Peace on earth, good-will to men!
Raise the al­le­lu­ia high.

Jesus, born of Ma­ry, comes,
Dawns the new day with His birth;
Now pro­claim the hope of Christ
Over all the realms of earth.
In His faith the sad are brave,
By His po­wer men con­quer sin,
Though in­jus­tice would hold sway
Truth and love their reign be­gin.

Grant us then, O God of love,
Hearts where Christ shall come to­day,
May our wills be one with His,
May His Spir­it guide our way.
God of Je­sus, may His truths
Bless the world this Christ­mas­tide,
’Till with all the sons of men,
Faith and hope and love abide.