The Shepherds on Fair Bethlehem’s Plain

The shep­herds on fair Beth­le’m’s plain

Asleep be­neath the star­ry host

Awoke to learn how One shall reign

Whose pow­er is from the Ho­ly Ghost;

For an­gel songs the mes­sage bring

Of joy in Heav’n and peace on earth

That men the song may ev­er sing

How Christ had sweet and low­ly birth.

The wise men came from far away

From rich­est lands and bright­est seas

Led on­ward by a star­rèd ray

To Him who in a man­ger lies.

They bend above the Child so fair

And wor­ship Him as Lord and King

With gifts of gold and gems most rare

And ev­ery roy­al of­fer­ing.

And now men here are all aflame

Here souls with heav’n­ly joy are filled;

Today was born that Child of fame

Today anew our hearts are thrilled.

To Him our glad­some songs we raise

To Him our choic­est trea­sures give

To Him we of­fer end­less praise

And seek in Him for Him to live.