O Come, Little Children

1 O come, little children, O come, one and all,
O come to the manger in Bethlehem’s stall
And see what the Father in heaven so true
Has done to prepare a bright Christmas for you.

2 Behold, in the manger, that strange little bed,
A Child, sweet and gentle, is resting His head,
A Babe, clad in garments so pure and so white,
And fairer by far than the angels of light.

3 On hay and on straw in the manger He lies;
Both Mary and Joseph, with fond, loving eyes,
Are gazing upon Him, and shepherds draw near,
And jubilant angels from heaven appear.

4 O kneel with the shepherds in worshipful prayer
And join the dear angels who also are there;
Sing glory to God in the heavens above
And thank Him for Jesus, the gift of His love.

5 O dearest, O sweetest, O wonderful Child,
So pure and so holy, so good and so mild;
For us poor and weak in the manger hast lain,
For us like an innocent lamb Thou wast slain.

6 Receive then our hearts, which we offer to Thee,
And keep them from sin and from wickedness free;
O render them holy and blessed like Thine,
Thou Son of the Highest, Thou Infant divine.

Source: American Lutheran Hymnal #615