Tuesday, December 24, 2024

The Christmas Story as recorded in the Bible - Unabridged - Play Layout - Speaking Parts, Scenes, Locations

Christmas Story - Unabridged



Listing: Characters; Scenes; Locations



For use with: 

The Christmas Story as recorded in the Bible - Unabridged - Play Layout





Characters

16 characters + Narrator

13 speaking parts (includes Narrator)

In order of appearance



Narrator (main speaking part)


Angel


Zacharias


Elizabeth


Mary


John the Baptist (baby – non-speaking part)


People


Joseph (non-speaking part)


God's word in the Law and Prophets


Jesus (baby – non-speaking part)


Angels (host)


Shepherds


Simeon


Anna (non-speaking part)


Wise Men


Chief Priests and Scribes


Herod




Scenes


(Location #) Setting: Description of event

Scene 1
(1a) Temple: Angel speaks to Zacharias

Scene 2
(2a) Home of Mary: Angel speaks to Mary

Scene 3
(3) Home of Zacharias and Elizabeth: Mary visits Elizabeth

Scene 4
(3) Home of Zacharias & Elizabeth: John is born & named

Scene 5
(2b) Home of Joseph: Angel speaks to Joseph

Scene 6
(4a) Bethlehem – manger scene: Jesus is born

Scene 7
(4b) Bethlehem – fields: Angel speaks to shepherds

Scene 8
(4c) Bethlehem: Jesus is circumcised

Scene 9
(1a) Temple: Jesus is taken to the temple at 40 days old

Scene 10
(1b; 1c) Jerusalem: Wise men speak with Herod;
(4c) Bethlehem: Wise men visit Jesus

Scene 11
(4c) Bethlehem: Herod attempts to kill child Jesus;
(5) Egypt: Joseph takes mother and child there

Scene 12
(2b) Home of Joseph: Joseph returns to Israel and Nazareth with mother and child

Scene 13
(2) Nazareth: Conclusion


Scene Location #s / Settings

  1. Jerusalem

    1. Temple – Zacharias; Jesus at temple

    2. Wise Men in the city

    3. Wise Men speak with Herod

  2. Nazareth

    1. Home of Mary

    2. Home of Joseph

  3. Hill Country of Judah – home of Zacharias and Elizabeth

  4. Bethlehem

    1. Manger scene

    2. Fields where angel speaks to shepherds

    3. House – place of visit of Wise Men

  5. Egypt – place of flight of Joseph, Mary, Jesus



Tuesday, July 23, 2024

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Saturday, December 3, 2022

Christmas Carols (Large Font)

CHRISTMAS CAROLS



TABLE OF CONTENTS



Angels From the Realms of Glory


Angels We Have Heard on High


As With Gladness Men of Old


Away Dark Thoughts, Awake, My Joy


Away in a Manger


Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus


The First Noel


Go, Tell It on the Mountain


God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen


Good Christian Men, Rejoice


Good King Wenceslas


Hark! The Herald Angels Sing


How Great Our Joy


I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day


I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In


It Came Upon the Midnight Clear


Joy to the World


Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence


Lo, How a Rose e’er Blooming


O Come, All Ye Faithful


O Come, All Ye Faithful (Latin)


O Come, O Come, Emmanuel


O Holy Night


O Little Town of Bethlehem


Silent Night


Silent Night (German)


There’s a Song in the Air


Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne


We Three Kings


What Child Is This?


While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks



ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY


1 Angels from the realms of glory,

Wing your flight o'er all the earth;

Ye who sang creation's story

Now proclaim Messiah's birth:


Refrain

Come and worship, come and worship,

worship Christ, the newborn king.


2 Shepherds, in the field abiding,

Watching o'er your flocks by night,

God with man is now residing;

Yonder shines the infant light: [Refrain]


3 Sages, leave your contemplations,

Brighter visions beam afar;

Seek the great Desire of nations;

Ye have seen his natal star: [Refrain]


4 Saints, before the altar bending,

Watching long in hope and fear;

Suddenly the Lord, descending,

In His temple shall appear: [Refrain]


5 Sinners, wrung with true repentance,

Doomed for guilt to endless pains,

Justice now revokes the sentence,

Mercy calls you; break your chains: [Refrain]


6 Though an Infant now we view Him,

He shall fill His Father’s throne,

Gather all the nations to Him;

Every knee shall then bow down: [Refrain]


7 All creation, join in praising

God, the Father, Spirit, Son,

Evermore your voices raising

To th’eternal Three in One: [Refrain]


Table of Contents



ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH


1 Angels we have heard on high,

Sweetly singing o'er the plains,

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strains:


Refrain:

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!


2 Shepherds, why this jubilee?

Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be

Which inspire your heav'nly song? [Refrain]


3 Come to Bethlehem and see

Him whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee

Christ the Lord, the new-born King. [Refrain]


4 See within a manger laid

Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth!

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,

Sing with us our Savior's birth. [Refrain]


Table of Contents



AS WITH GLADNESS MEN OF OLD


1 As with gladness men of old

Did the guiding star behold;

As with joy they hailed its light,

Leading onward, beaming bright;

So, most gracious God, may we

Evermore be led to Thee.


2 As with joyful steps they sped

To that lowly cradle-bed,

There to bend the knee before

Him whom heav'n and earth adore;

So may we with willing feet

Ever seek Thy mercy-seat.


3 As they offered gifts most rare

At that cradle rude and bare;

So may we with holy joy,

Pure, and free from sin’s alloy,

All our costliest treasures bring,

Christ, to Thee, our heav'nly King.


4 Holy Jesus, ev'ry day

Keep us in the narrow way;

And, when earthly things are past,

Bring our ransomed lives at last

Where they need no star to guide,

Where no clouds Thy glory hide.


5 In that heav'nly country bright

Need they no created light;

Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,

Thou its Sun which goes not down;

There for ever may we sing

Alleluias to our King.


Table of Contents



AWAY DARK THOUGHTS, AWAKE, MY JOY (c.m.)


1 Away dark thoughts, awake, my joy;

Awake, my glory sing:

Sing songs to celebrate the birth,

Of Jacob's God and King.


2 O happy night, that brought forth light,

Which makes the blind to see!

The day spring from on high came down,

To cheer the visit thee.


3 The wakeful shepherds, near their flocks,

Were watchful for the morn;

But better news from heaven was brought,

"Your Savior Christ is born."


4 "In Bethlehem town the the infant lies,

Within a place obscure."

O little Bethlehem poor in walls,

But rich in furniture!


5 Since heaven is now come down to earth,

Hither the angels fly!

Hark, now the heavenly choir doth sing,

Glory to God on high!


6 The news is spread, the church is glad,

Simeon o'ercome with joy,

Sings with the infant in his arms,

Now let thy servant die.


7 Wise men from far beheld the star,

Which was their faithful guide,

Until it pointed for the babe,

And him they glorified;


8 While heaven and earth rejoice and sing,

Shall we our Christ deny?

He's born for us, and we for him;

Glory to God on high!


Table of Contents



AWAY IN A MANGER


1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;

The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.


2 The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky

And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.


3 Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,

And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.


Table of Contents



COME, THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS


1 Come, thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth thou art;

Dear desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.


2 Born thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a King,

Born to reign in us forever,

Now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By thine all sufficient merit,

Raise us to thy glorious throne.


Table of Contents



THE FIRST NOEL


1 The first Noel the angel did say

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,

On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.


Refrain

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,

Born is the King of Israel.


2 They lookèd up and saw a star

Shining in the east, beyond them far;

And to the earth it gave great light,

And so it continued both day and night. [Refrain]


3 And by the light of that same star

Three wise men came from country far;

To seek for a king was their intent,

And to follow the star wherever it went. [Refrain]


4 This star drew nigh to the northwest,

Over Bethlehem it took its rest;

And there it did both stop and stay,

Right over the place where Jesus lay. [Refrain]


5 Then did they know assuredly

Within that house the King did lie;

One entered it them for to see,

And found the Babe in poverty. [Refrain]


6 Then entered in those wise men three,

Full reverently upon the knee,

And offered there, in His presence,

Their gold and myrrh and frankincense. [Refrain]


7 Between an ox stall and an ass,

This Child truly there He was;

For want of clothing they did Him lay

All in a manger, among the hay. [Refrain]


8 Then let us all with one accord

Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;

That hath made Heaven and earth of naught,

And with His blood mankind hath bought. [Refrain]


9 If we in our time shall do well,

We shall be free from death and hell;

For God hath prepared for us all

A resting place in general. [Refrain]


Table of Contents



GO, TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN


Refrain:

Go, tell it on the mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere;

Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born.


1 While shepherds kept their watching

O’er silent flocks by night,

Behold, throughout the heavens

There shone a holy light. [Refrain]


2 The shepherds feared and trembled

When lo! above the earth

Rang out the angel chorus

That hailed our Savior‘s birth. [Refrain]


3 Down in a lowly manger

The humble Christ was born,

And God sent us salvation

That blessed Christmas morn. [Refrain]


Table of Contents



GOD REST YE MERRY, GENTLEMEN


1 God rest ye merry, gentlemen,

Let nothing you dismay,

Remember Christ our Savior

Was born on Christmas Day;

To save us all from Satan’s power

When we were gone astray.


Refrain

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;

O tidings of comfort and joy.


2 In Bethlehem, in Jewry,

This blessèd Babe was born,

And laid within a manger

Upon this blessèd morn;

The which His mother Mary

Did nothing take in scorn. [Refrain]


3 From God our heavenly Father

A blessèd angel came;

And unto certain shepherds

Brought tidings of the same;

How that in Bethlehem was born

The Son of God by name. [Refrain]


4 "Fear not, then," said the angel,

"Let nothing you affright

This day is born a Savior

Of a pure Virgin bright,

To free all those who trust in Him

From Satan’s power and might." [Refrain]


5 The shepherds at those tidings

Rejoicèd much in mind,

And left their flocks a-feeding

In tempest, storm and wind,

And went to Bethl’em straightaway

This blessèd Babe to find. [Refrain]


6 But when to Bethlehem they came

Where our dear Savior lay,

They found Him in a manger

Where oxen feed on hay;

His mother Mary kneeling

Unto the Lord did pray. [Refrain]


7 Now to the Lord sing praises

All you within this place,

And with true love and brotherhood

Each other now embrace;

This holy tide of Christmas

All others doth deface. [Refrain]


8 God bless the ruler of this house,

And send him long to reign,

And many a merry Christmas

May live to see again;

Among your friends and kindred

That live both far and near—


That God send you a happy new year,

Happy new year,

And God send you a happy new year.


Table of Contents



GOOD CHRISTIAN MEN, REJOICE


1 Good Christian men, rejoice

With heart and soul and voice;

Give ye heed to what we say:

News! News!

Jesus Christ was born today.

Ox and ass before him bow,

And he is in the manger now.

Christ is born today!

Christ is born today!


2 Good Christian men, rejoice

With heart and soul and voice;

Now ye hear of endless bliss:

Joy! Joy!

Jesus Christ was born for this!

He has opened heaven's door,

And we are blest forevermore.

Christ was born for this!

Christ was born for this!


3 Good Christian men, rejoice

With heart and soul and voice;

Now ye need not fear the grave:

Peace ! Peace!

Jesus Christ was born to save!

Calls you one and calls you all

To gain his everlasting hall.

Christ was born to save!

Christ was born to save!


Table of Contents



GOOD KING WENCESLAS


1 Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,

When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.

Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,

When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel.


2 “Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling,

Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?”

Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain,

Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”


3 “Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither,

You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.”

Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together,

Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.


4 “Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger,

Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.”

Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly,

You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your blood less coldly.”


5 In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;

Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.

Therefore, Christian men, be sure, while God’s gifts possessing,

You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.


Table of Contents



HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING


1 Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King:

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,

Join the triumph of the skies;

With th'angelic hosts proclaim,

"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"


Refrain:

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King"


2 Christ, by highest heaven adored,

Christ, the everlasting Lord,

Late in time behold him come,

Offspring of the Virgin's womb:

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

Hail th'incarnate Deity,

Pleased with man as man to dwell,

Jesus, our Immanuel. [Refrain]


3 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

Risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

Born that we no more may die,

Born to raise us from the earth,

Born to give us second birth. [Refrain]


4 Come, Desire of nations, come,

Fix in us Thy humble home;

Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed,

Bruise in us the serpent’s head.

Now display Thy saving power,

Ruined nature now restore;

Now in mystic union join

Thine to ours, and ours to Thine. [Refrain]


5 Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,

Stamp Thine image in its place:

Second Adam from above,

Reinstate us in Thy love.

Let us Thee, though lost, regain,

Thee, the Life, the inner man:

O, to all Thyself impart,

Formed in each believing heart. [Refrain]


Table of Contents



HOW GREAT OUR JOY


1 While by the sheep we watched at night,

Glad tidings brought an angel bright.


Refrain

How great our joy! Great our joy!

Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!

Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!

Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!


2 There shall be born, so He did say,

In Bethlehem a Child today. [Refrain]


3 There shall the Child lie in a stall,

This Child who shall redeem us all. [Refrain]


4 This gift of God we’ll cherish well,

That ever joy our hearts shall fill. [Refrain]


Table of Contents



I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY


1 I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.


2 And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th’unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.


3 Till ringing, singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good will to men.


4 And in despair I bowed my head

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men."


5 Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men."


Table of Contents



I SAW THREE SHIPS COME SAILING IN


1 I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas day, on Christmas day;

I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas day in the morning.


2 And what was in those ships all three,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day?

And what was in those ships all three,

On Christmas day in the morning?


3 Our Savior Christ and His lady,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day;

Our Savior Christ and His lady,

On Christmas day in the morning.


4 Pray whither sailed those ships all three,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day?

Pray whither sailed those ships all three,

On Christmas day in the morning?


5 O they sailed into Bethlehem,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day,

O they sailed into Bethlehem,

On Christmas day in the morning.


6 And all the bells on earth shall ring,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day;

And all the bells on earth shall ring,

On Christmas day in the morning.


7 And all the angels in Heav’n shall sing,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day;

And all the angels in Heav’n shall sing,

On Christmas day in the morning.


8 And all the souls on Earth shall sing,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day;

And all the souls on Earth shall sing,

On Christmas day in the morning.


9 Then let us all rejoice amain,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day;

Then let us all rejoice amain,

On Christmas day in the morning.


Table of Contents



IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR


1 It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth,

To touch their harps of gold;

"Peace on the earth, good will to men,

From Heaven’s all gracious king."

The world in solemn stillness lay,

To hear the angels sing.


2 Still through the cloven skies they come

With peaceful wings unfurled,

And still their heavenly music floats

O’er all the weary world;

Above its sad and lowly plains,

They bend on hovering wing,

And ever over its Babel sounds

The blessèd angels sing.


3 Yet with the woes of sin and strife

The world has suffered long;

Beneath the angel strain have rolled

Two thousand years of wrong;

And man, at war with man, hears not

The love-song which they bring;

O hush the noise, ye men of strife

And hear the angels sing.


4 And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,

Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing way

With painful steps and slow,

Look now! for glad and golden hours

Come swiftly on the wing.

O rest beside the weary road,

And hear the angels sing!


5 For lo! the days are hastening on,

By prophet-bards foretold,

When with the ever circling years

Comes round the age of gold;

When peace shall over all the earth

Its ancient splendors fling,

And the whole world send back the song

Which now the angels sing.


Table of Contents



JOY TO THE WORLD


1 Joy to the world; the Lord is come;

Let earth receive her king:

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.


2 Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns;

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.


3 No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as, the curse is found.


4 He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders, of His love.


Table of Contents



LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENCE


1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence,

And with fear and trembling stand;

Ponder nothing earthly minded,

For with blessing in His hand,

Christ our God to earth descendeth,

Our full homage to demand.


2 King of kings, yet born of Mary,

As of old on earth He stood,

Lord of lords, in human vesture,

In the body and the blood;

He will give to all the faithful

His own self for heavenly food.


3 Rank on rank the host of Heaven

Spreads its vanguard on the way,

As the Light of light descendeth

From the realms of endless day,

That the powers of hell may vanish

As the darkness clears away.


4 At His feet the six wingèd seraph,

Cherubim with sleepless eye,

Veil their faces to the presence,

As with ceaseless voice they cry:

Alleluia, Alleluia

Alleluia, Lord Most High!


Table of Contents



LO, HOW A ROSE E’ER BLOOMING


1 Lo, how a rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jesse’s lineage coming, as men of old have sung.

It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter,

When half spent was the night.


2 Isaiah ’twas foretold it, the rose I have in mind;

With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind.

To show God’s love aright, she bore to men a Savior,

When half spent was the night.


3 The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright,

How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night.

To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger found Him,

As angel heralds said.


4 This flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,

Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;

True man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us,

And lightens every load.


5 O Savior, child of Mary, who felt our human woe,

O Savior, King of glory, who dost our weakness know;

Bring us at length we pray, to the bright courts of Heaven,

And to the endless day!


Table of Contents



O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL


1 O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;


Refrain

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.


2 True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,

Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb;

Son of the Father, begotten, not created; [Refrain]


3 Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;

O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God, all glory in the highest; [Refrain]


4 See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle,

Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;

We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps; [Refrain]


5 Lo! star led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring,

Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh;

We to the Christ Child bring our hearts’ oblations. [Refrain]


6 Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,

We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;

Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly? [Refrain]


7 Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;

Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;

Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. [Refrain]


Table of Contents



O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL (LATIN)


Adeste fideles læti triumphantes,

Venite, venite in Bethlehem.

Natum videte

Regem angelorum:

Venite adoremus (3×)

Dominum.


Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine

Gestant puellæ viscera

Deum verum, genitum non factum.

Venite adoremus (3×)

Dominum.


Cantet nunc io, chorus angelorum;

Cantet nunc aula cælestium,

Gloria, gloria in excelsis Deo,

Venite adoremus (3×)

Dominum.


Ergo qui natus die hodierna.

Jesu, tibi sit gloria,

Patris æterni Verbum caro factum.

Venite adoremus (3×)

Dominum.


Table of Contents



O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL


1 O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.


Refrain

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.


O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,

Who orderest all things mightily;

To us the path of knowledge show,

And teach us in her ways to go. [Refrain]


O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;

From depths of hell Thy people save,

And give them victory over the grave. [Refrain]


O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death’s dark shadows put to flight. [Refrain]


O come, Thou Key of David, come,

And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery. [Refrain]


O come, O come, great Lord of might,

Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height

In ancient times once gave the law

In cloud and majesty and awe. [Refrain]


O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,

An ensign of Thy people be;

Before Thee rulers silent fall;

All peoples on Thy mercy call. [Refrain]


O come, Desire of nations, bind

In one the hearts of all mankind;

Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,

And be Thyself our King of Peace. [Refrain]


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O HOLY NIGHT


1 O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;

It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

O night, O holy night, O night divine!


2 Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here came the wise men from Orient land.

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,

In all our trials born to be our friend!

He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.

Behold your king; before Him lowly bend!

Behold your king; before Him lowly bend!


3 Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His Gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name!

Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!

His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!


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O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM


1 O little town of Bethlehem,

How still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight.


2 For Christ is born of Mary,

And gathered all above,

While mortals sleep, the angels keep

Their watch of wondering love.

O morning stars together,

Proclaim the holy birth,

And praises sing to God the King,

And peace to men on earth!


3 How silently, how silently,

The wondrous Gift is giv’n;

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His Heav’n.

No ear may hear His coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still,

The dear Christ enters in.


4 Where children pure and happy

Pray to the blessèd Child,

Where misery cries out to Thee,

Son of the mother mild [or undefiled];

Where charity stands watching

And faith holds wide the door,

The dark night wakes, the glory breaks,

And Christmas comes once more.


5 O holy Child of Bethlehem,

Descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin, and enter in,

Be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us,

Our Lord Emmanuel!


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SILENT NIGHT


1 Silent night, holy night,

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and Child.

Holy Infant, so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace.


2 Silent night, holy night,

Shepherds quake at the sight;

Glories stream from heaven afar,

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ the Savior is born,

Christ the Savior is born!


3 Silent night, holy night,

Son of God, love’s pure light;

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.


4 Silent night, holy night

Wondrous star, lend thy light;

With the angels let us sing,

Alleluia to our King;

Christ the Savior is born,

Christ the Savior is born!


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SILENT NIGHT (GERMAN)


Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,

Alles schläft; einsam wacht

Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.

Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,

Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!


Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,

Hirten erst kundgemacht

Durch der Engel Halleluja,

Tönt es laut von fern und nah:

Christ, der Retter ist da!

Christ, der Retter ist da!


Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,

Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht

Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,

Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.

Christ, in deiner Geburt!

Christ, in deiner Geburt!


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THERE’S A SONG IN THE AIR


1 There’s a song in the air!

There’s a star in the sky!

There’s a mother’s deep prayer

And a baby’s low cry!

And the star rains its fire

While the beautiful sing,

For the manger of Bethlehem

Cradles a king!


2 There’s a tumult of joy

O’er the wonderful birth,

For the virgin’s sweet boy

Is the Lord of the earth.

Ay! the star rains its fire

While the beautiful sing,

For the manger of Bethlehem

Cradles a king!


3 In the light of that star

Lie the ages impearled;

And that song from afar

Has swept over the world.

Every hearth is aflame,

And the beautiful sing

In the homes of the nations

That Jesus is king!


4 We rejoice in the light,

And we echo the song

That comes down through the night

From the heavenly throng.

Ay! we shout to the lovely

Evangel they bring,

And we greet in His cradle

Our Savior and king!


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THOU DIDST LEAVE THY THRONE


1 Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,

When Thou camest to earth for me;

But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room

For Thy holy nativity.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.


2 Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,

Proclaiming Thy royal degree;

But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,

And in great humility.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.


3 The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest

In the shade of the forest tree;

But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,

In the deserts of Galilee.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.


4 Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word

That should set Thy people free;

But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,

They bore Thee to Calvary.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.


5 When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,

At Thy coming to victory,

Let Thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,

There is room at My side for thee."

My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,

When Thou comest and callest for me.


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WE THREE KINGS


1 We three kings of Orient are;

Bearing gifts we traverse afar,

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,

Following yonder star.


Refrain

O star of wonder, star of light,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.


2 Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain

Gold I bring to crown Him again,

King forever, ceasing never,

Over us all to reign. [Refrain]


3 Frankincense to offer have I;

Incense owns a deity nigh;

Prayer and praising all men raising,

Worship Him, God on high. [Refrain]


4 Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume

Breathes a life of gathering gloom;

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,

Sealed in the stone cold tomb. [Refrain]


5 Glorious now behold Him arise;

King and God and sacrifice;

Alleluia, Alleluia,

Earth to Heaven replies. [Refrain]


Alternate 5th Verse

5 Glorious now behold Him arise;

King and God and sacrifice;

Heav’n sings Alleluia;

Alleluia the earth replies. [Refrain]


Alternate 5th Verse

5 Glorious now behold Him arise;

King and God and sacrifice;

Heav’n sings Alleluia;

Heaven and earth replies. [Refrain]


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WHAT CHILD IS THIS?


1 What child is this who, laid to rest

On Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the son of Mary.


2 Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the son of Mary.


3 So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,

Come peasant, king to own Him;

The King of kings salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high,

The virgin sings her lullaby.

Joy, joy for Christ is born,

The Babe, the son of Mary.


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WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS (Tate)


1 While shepherds watched their flocks by night,

All seated on the ground,

The angel of the Lord came down,

And glory shone around,

And glory shone around.


2 "Fear not!" said he, for mighty dread

Had seized their troubled mind.

Glad tidings of great joy I bring

To you and all mankind

To you and all mankind.


3 “To you, in David’s town, this day

Is born of David’s line

A Savior, who is Christ the Lord,

And this shall be the sign,

And this shall be the sign.


4 "The heavenly Babe you there shall find

To human view displayed,

All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,

And in a manger laid,

And in a manger laid."


5 Thus spake the seraph and forthwith

Appeared a shining throng

Of angels praising God on high,

Who thus addressed their song,

Who thus addressed their song:


6 "All glory be to God on high,

And to the Earth be peace;

Good will henceforth from Heav’n to men

Begin and never cease,

Begin and never cease!"


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