MHB 120 – CHRISTIANS,  awake, salute the  happy morn,

Methodist-Hymns-120

1: CHRISTIANS,  awake, salute the  happy morn,
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born;
Rise to adore the mystery of love,
Which hosts of angels chanted from above;
With them the joyful tidings first  begun
Of God incarnate and the Virgin’s Son.

2: Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard the angelic herald’s  voice: Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour’s  birth
To you and all the nations upon earth;
This day hath God fulfilled His  promised word,
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the lord.

3: He spake; and straightway the  celestial choir
In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire.
The praises of redeeming love they sang,
And heaven’s whole orb with hallelujahs rang;
God’s highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace upon earth, and unto men good-will.

4: To Bethlehem straight the enlightened shepherds ran,
To see the wonder God had wrought for man :
Then to their flocks, still praising God, return,
And their glad hearts with holy Rapture burn;
Amazed, the wondrous tidings they proclaim,
The first apostles of His infant fame.

5: O may we keep and pounder in our mind
God’s wondrous love in saving lost mankind;
Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
From the poor manger to the bitter Cross:
Tread in His steps, assisted by His grace,
Till man’s first heavenly state again takes place.

6: Then may we hope, the angelic  hosts among,
To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song;
He that was born upon this joyful day
Around us all His glory shall display;
Saved by His love, incessant we shall sing
Eternal praise to heaven’s almighty King.