1 Linked in the bond of peace
Let all with sacred mirth
Lift up one song of praise and love,
While pondering Jesu’s birth.

2 From age to age this day
Hath blest unnumbered hearts;
And still its light shall wake fresh hope,
Till all we mourn departs.

3 Our fathers hailed its dawn
With praise to God above;
And some recalled the Babe divine,
Till burnt once more their love.

4 And love, rekindled thus,
Was fraught with good profound;
The festal day knit heart to heart,
And spread pure joys around.

5 Alas! too oft ’twas stained
With evils, and is still!
But O! let us hold fast the good
And hate and shun the ill.

6 Let all today be peace,
And love, and holy joy;
And earth’s sad needs by kindly deeds
To abate, our best employ.