He Whom Shepherds Once Came Praising

Representative Text

1 He whom shepherd men came praising,
Awed by heaven light a blazing,
Cheered by angel news amazing:
King of glory Christ is born!
The glorious angels came today
Aglow with light into the night of darkness deep,
To shepherds who by moon's bright ray
Did in the field o'er sheep their silent vigil keep.
"Joy, great joy and tidings glad we bring from heaven resounding,
For you, for you and all the world abounding."
God's own Son is born a child, is born a child;
God the Father is reconciled, is reconciled!

2 He whom sages, westward faring,
Myrrh and gold and incense bearing.
Humbly worshiped, offerings sharing:
Judah's Lion reigns this morn!
"God's majesty has come to earth
And sent his only Son to you in humankind;
A chosen virgin gave him birth,
In David's town the holy Infant you will find,
Lying helpless in a manger, poor and bare and lowly,
To set you free from all your sorrow wholly."
God's own Son is born a child, is born a child;
God the Father is reconciled, is reconciled!

3 Sing with Mary, maiden mother;
Laud her Son, our newborn Brother;
Angel ranks, lead one another,
Hailing him in holy joy!
Then sang the angels this refrain:
"To God on high alone give praise and glory,
And peace on earth again shall reign;
Let all mankind with gladness heed this story
And rejoice in his good will." The Savior came in meekness
For you, for you to bear your flesh in weakness.
God's own Son is born a child, is born a child;
God the Father is reconciled, is reconciled!

4 To our King, God ever-reigning,
Yet of Mary manhood gaining,
Heavenly gifts for us obtaining,
Raise your hymns of homage high!
The wondering shepherds said, "Behold,
Let us now go with all good speed to Bethlehem
To see this thing the Lord has told.
The cattle leave; he will indeed take care of them."
There they found the Wonder Babe, in lowly swaddling clothes lying,
Though all the world with his free grace supplying.
God's own Son is born a child, is born a child;
God the Father is reconciled, is reconciled!

Source: Worship Supplement #718a

Alterer: Martin L. Seltz

(no biographical information available about Martin L. Seltz.) Go to person page >

Translator: Winfred Douglas

Charles Winfred Douglas (b. Oswego, NY, 1867; d. Santa Rosa, CA, 1944), an influential leader in Episcopalian liturgical and musical life. Educated at Syracuse University and St. Andrews Divinity School, Syracuse, New York, he moved to Colorado for his health. There he studied at St. Matthew's Hall, Denver, and founded the Mission of the Transfiguration in Evergreen (1897). Ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1899, he also studied in France, Germany and England, where he spent time with the Benedictines of Solesmes on the Island of Wight from 1903 to 1906. For much of his life, Douglas served as director of music at the Community of St. Mary in Peekskill, New York, and had associations with cathedrals in Denver, Colorado, and Fond… Go to person page >

Translator: Herbert J. M. Bouman

(no biographical information available about Herbert J. M. Bouman.) Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: He whom shepherds once came praising
Title: He Whom Shepherds Once Came Praising
Alterer: Martin L. Seltz
Translator: Winfred Douglas
Translator: Herbert J. M. Bouman
Meter: 8.8.8.7; irregular; 11 12
Source: Tr. composite; German carols
Language: English
Refrain First Line: God's own Son is born a child
Copyright: Tr. © 1969 Concordia Publishing House

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 3 of 3)

Lutheran Worship #54b

Lutheran Worship #54a

Lutheran Worship #54c

Include 4 pre-1979 instances
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