While Humble Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

While hum­ble shep­herds watched their flocks

In Beth­l’hem’s plains by night

An an­gel sent from Heav’n ap­peared

And filled the plains with light.

Fear not

he said (for sud­den dread

Had seized their trou­bled mind);

“Glad tid­ings of great joy I bring

To you

and all man­kind.

To you

in Da­vid’s town

this day

Is born

of Da­vid’s line

The Sav­ior

who is Christ the Lord;

And this shall be the sign:

The heav’n­ly Babe you there shall find

To hu­man view dis­played

All mean­ly wrapt in swad­dling-bands

And in a man­ger laid.

Thus spake the ser­aph; and forth­with

Appeared a shin­ing throng

Of an­gels

prais­ing God; and thus

Addressed their joy­ful song:

All glo­ry be to God on high

And to the earth be peace;

Good-will is shown by Heav’n to men

And nev­er more shall cease.