1. Christians, awake, salute the happy morn, Whereon the Saviour of the world was born; Rise to adore the mystery of love, Which hosts of angels chanted from above; With them the joyful tidings first begun Of God Incarnate and the Virgin’s Son. 2. Then to the watchful shepherds it was told, Who heard the angelic herald’s voice, “Behold, I bring good tidings of a Saviour’s birth To you and all the nations upon earth; This day hath God fulfilled His promised word, This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.’ He spake; and straightway the celestial choir, In hymns of joy unknown before, conspire, The praises of redeeming love they sang, And heaven’s whole orb with hallelujahs rang; God’s highest glory was their anthem still, Peace upon earth, and mutual goodwill. 3. To Bethlehem straight the enlightened shepherds ran, To see the wonder God had wrought for man, And found, with Joseph and the blessed Maid, Her Son the Saviour, in a manger laid; Amazed, the wondrous story they proclaim, The first apostles of His infant fame. 4. Like Mary, let us ponder in our mind, God’s wondrous love in saving lost mankind; Trace we the Babe, who has retrieved our loss, From His poor manger to His bitter Cross; Treading His steps, assisted by His grace, Till man’s first heavenly state again takes place. 5. Then may we hope, the angelic thrones among, To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song, He that was born up on this joyful day Around us all His glory shall display; Saved by His love, incessant we shall sing O angels and of angel men the King.