Scripture Verse

Good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10

Introduction

portrait
Archer Gibson (1875–1952)

Words: S. Arch­er Gib­son, in the Par­ish School Hym­nal (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Board of Pub­li­ca­tion of the Unit­ed Lu­ther­an Church in Am­eri­ca, 1926), num­ber 41.

Mu­sic: Er­bil Je­re­mi­ah F. Ohl (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Jeremiah Ohl (1850–1941)

Lyrics

O what mean these songs they’re sing­ing?
‘Tis Christ­mas day!
O what mean these bells they’re ring­ing?
‘Tis Christ­mas day!
O what mean these org­ans peal­ing,
What this news that they’re re­veal­ing,
Tens of thou­sands low­ly kneel­ing?
‘Tis Christ­mas day!

See these gifts that we’re re­ceiv­ing;
‘Tis Christ­mas day!
Toke­n of God’s won­drous giv­ing,
‘Tis Chris­tmas day!
O that we may not for­sake Him,
O that we our­selves may take Him,
Only gift that we can make Him!
‘Tis Christ­mas day!

Glory be to God in Heav­en,
‘Tis Christm­as day!
Who for us His Son has giv­en,
‘Tis Christ­mas day!
Loud we raise our ha­ppy voic­es,
Nature adds har­mon­ious nois­es,
All His world in Him rejoic­es!
‘Tis Christ­mas day!