Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter long ago. Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter, a stable place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. Enough for Him, Whom cherubim worship night and day, A breastful of milk and a manger full of hay; Enough for Him, Whom angels fall before, The ox and ass and camel which adore. Angels and archangels may have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; But His mother only, in her maiden bliss, Worshipped the beloved with a kiss. What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, goodwill to men! 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, goodwill to men!” 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, goodwill to men.”
Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine; Love was born at Christmas; Star and angels gave the sign. Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, Love divine; Worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign? Love shall be our token; Love be yours, and love be mine; Love to God and others, Love for plea and gift and sign.
There’s a star in the East on Christmas morn; Rise up, shepherd, and follow; It will lead to the place where the Christ was born; Rise up, shepherd, and follow. Follow, follow; Rise up, shepherd, and follow. Follow the Star of Bethlehem; Rise up, shepherd, and follow. Leave your sheep, leave your sheep, and leave your lambs; Rise up, shepherd, and follow; Leave your ewes and your rams, leave your ewes and rams; Rise up, shepherd, and follow. Refrain: If you take good heed to the angel’s words; Rise up, shepherd, and follow; You’ll forget your flocks, you’ll forget your herds; Rise up, shepherd, and follow.