While Shepherds Kept Their Flocks by Night

While shep­herds kept their flocks by night

An an­gel clothed with pow­er and light

Did to the shep­herds there ap­pear

Which filled their minds with dread and fear.

But to their com­fort thus he said

“Dear shep­herds

be ye not afraid:

I have a mes­sage un­to you

Exceeding joy­ful

great and true.

“This day is born in Da­vid’s town

The migh­ty prince of great re­nown;

The Lord and Sav­ior of man­kind;

In Beth­le­hem ye shall Him find.

There He is in a man­ger laid

And there to hu­man view dis­played;

He

who hath all at His com­mands

Is there a babe in swath­ing bands.

Then did an­gel­ic host ap­pear

And sheph­erds songs of praise did hear:

All glo­ry be to God on high!

Who brings to us sal­va­tion nigh.

O hap­py news sent down from Heav’n!

Since peace to man on earth is giv’n;

Good will from God to man shall be

And bless­ings to eter­ni­ty.