Christmas Carols - 3

Now when the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us'. So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.

When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.



When the crimson sun had set,
Sinking 'neath the frosty plain,
On a bright and cold midnight
Broke the glad angelic strain:

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds watching by their flocks,
Upward look with wond'ring gaze,
In the sky bright hosts espy,
Filling all the heav'nly ways:

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Hie they then with quick accord,
Hasting to the manger-throne,
Bending low with hearts aglow,
God of God the Babe they own:

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Joy with us, good Christians all,
Christ is come to set us free;
He was born on Christmas morn,
Sing the glad nativity:

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

This carol is not sung much in England - but is very popular in Ireland.

Happy New Year!