For Christmas Day
For Christmas Day
Original Text
Charles and John Wesley, Hymns and sacred poems, published by John Wesley and Charles Wesley, 3rd edn. (London: W. Strahan, 1739). LU62 W516hsS Wesleyana Victoria College Library
1Hark, how all the welkin rings,
2"Glory to the King of kings;
3Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
4God and sinners reconcil'd!"
5Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
6Join the triumph of the skies;
7Universal nature say,
8"Christ the Lord is born to-day!"
9Christ, by highest Heaven ador'd,
10Christ, the everlasting Lord:
11Late in time behold him come,
12Offspring of a virgin's womb!
13Veil'd in flesh, the Godhead see,
14Hail th' incarnate Deity!
15Pleas'd as man with men to appear,
16Jesus, our Immanuel here!
17Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace,
18Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
19Light and life to all he brings,
20Risen with healing in his wings.
21Mild he lays his glory by,
22Born that man no more may die;
23Born to raise the sons of earth;
24Born to give them second birth.
25Come, desire of nations, come,
26Fix in us thy humble home;
28Bruise in us the serpent's head.
29Now display thy saving power,
30Ruin'd nature now restore;
31Now in mystic union join
32Thine to ours, and ours to thine.
33Adam's likeness, Lord, efface,
34Stamp thy image in its place.
36Reinstate us in thy love.
37Let us thee, though lost, regain,
38Thee, the life, the inner man:
39O, to all thyself impart,
40Form'd in each believing heart.
Publication Start Year
1739
RPO poem Editors
N. J. Endicott
RPO Edition
2RP.1.666; RPO 1996-2000.
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