On Judah’s plains as shepherds
sat,
Watching their flocks by night,
The angel of the Lord appeared,
Clad in celestial light.
Awe
struck the vision they regard,
Appalled with trembling fear;
When thus a cherub voice divine
Breathed sweetly on their ear.
“Shepherds of Judah! cease
your fears,
And calm your troubled mind;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.
“This day almighty Love
fulfills
Its great eternal Word;
This day is born in Bethlehem
A Savior, Christ the Lord.
“There shall you find the
heavenly Babe
In humblest weeds arrayed;
All meanly wrapped in swaddling
clothes
And in a manger laid.”
He ceased, and sudden all
around
Appeared a radiant throng
Of angels, praising God, and thus
Warbling their choral song.
“Glory to God, from Whom on
high
All gracious mercies flow!
Who sends His Heav’n descended
Peace
To dwell with man below.”
