Yet if His Majesty our Sovereign Lord 'Look to the presence: are the carpets spread, The daïs o'er the head, The cushions in the chairs, And all the candles lighted on the stairs? Let each man give attendance in his place.' Thus if the king were coming would we do, For 'tis a duteous thing To show all honour to an earthly king, But at the coming of the King of heaven, Christ cannot find a chamber in the inn, UNKNOWN 55. AND ART THOU COME, BLEST BABE? ND art Thou come, blest Babe, and come to me? AND Welcome, thrice welcome to my panting soul, UNKNOWN 56. SONG OF THE ANGELS AT THE NATIVITY WHILE shepherds watch'd their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The Angel of the Lord came down, 'Fear not,' said he (for mighty dread To you in David's town this day The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; And this shall be the sign : 'The heavenly Babe you there shall find All meanly wrapt in swathing-bands, Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith 'All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace; Good-will henceforth from heaven to men Begin, and never cease!' NAHUM TATE 57. SHEPHERDS, REJOICE HEPHERDS, rejoice, lift up your eyes, And send your fears away; News from the region of the skies! Salvation's born to-day. 'Jesus, the God whom angels fear, 'No gold, nor purple swaddling-bands, And holds the King of kings. 'Go, shepherds, where the Infant lies, And see His humble throne : With tears of joy in all your eyes Thus Gabriel sang: and straight around Glory to God that reigns above, Shepherds, rejoice Lord! and shall angels have their songs, O may we lose these useless tongues Glory to God that reigns above, We join to sing our Maker's love- 58. ISAAC WATTS H A CRADLE SONG USH, my dear, lie still and slumber, Heavenly blessings without number Sleep, my babe; thy food and raiment, All without thy care or payment, How much better thou'rt attended Soft and easy is thy cradle; Coarse and hard thy Saviour lay: And His softest bed was hay. A Cradle Song See the kinder shepherds round Him, Where they sought Him, there they found Him, See the lovely Babe a-dressing; Lo, He slumbers in His manger Mayst thou live to know and fear Him, I could give thee thousand kisses, Can to greater joys aspire. ISAAC WATTS 59. A HYMN FOR CHRISTMAS DAY CHRIS HRISTIANS, awake, salute the happy morn Rise to adore the Mystery of love, Which hosts of angels chanted from above: |