Hymnal Supplement 1991 ‎#731

731. Christians, Awake

1 Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Savior 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 Savior’s birth
To you and all the nations on the earth:
This day has God fulfilled the promised word,
This day is born a Savior, Christ the Lord."

3 Thus spoke, 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 alleluias rang;
God’s highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace upon earth, and unto all good will.

4 In Bethlehem the happy shepherds sought
To see the wonder God for us had wrought,
And found, with Joseph and the blessed maid,
Her Son, the Savior, in a manger laid;
Amazed, the wondrous story they proclaim,
The earliest heralds of the Savior's name.

5 Let us, like these good shepherds, then employ
Our grateful voices to proclaim the joy;
Trace we the Babe, who has retrieved our loss,
From his poor manger to his bitter cross;
Treading his steps, assisted by his grace,
Till our first heavenly state again takes place.

Text Information

• First Line: Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
• Title: Christians, Awake
• Author: John Byrom, 1692-1763 (alt.)
• Meter: 10 10 10 10 10 10
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1991
• Scripture:
  Luke 2:10-16
• Topic: Christmas Season

Tune Information

• Name: YORKSHIRE
• Composer: John Wainwright, 1723-1768
• Meter: 10 10 10 10 10 10
• Key: C Major