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Words: Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, 1810, published in his Nyeste Skilderie af Kjøbenhagen, December 1817; translated from Danish to English by Charles Porterfield Krauth, 1867.
Music: "Emmanuel (Det Kimmer nu til Julefest)," Carl Christian Nikolai Balle, 1850
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The happy Christmas comes once more,
The heavenly Guest is at the door,
The blessèd words the shepherds thrill,
The joyous tidings, "Peace, good will."
O let us go with quiet mind,
The gentle Babe with shepherds find,
To gaze on Him Who gladdens them,
The loveliest flower of Jesse's stem.
The lowly Savior meekly lies,
Laid off the splendor of the skies;
No crown bedecks His forehead fair,
No pearl, nor gem, nor silk is there.
O wake, our hearts, in gladness sing,
And keep our Christmas with our King,
Till living song, from loving souls,
Like sound of mighty water rolls.
O holy Child, Thy manger gleams
Till earth and heaven glow with its beams,
Till midnight noon's broad light hath won,
And Jacob's star outshines the sun.
Thou patriarchs' joy, Thou prophets' song,
Thou heavenly Dayspring, looked for long,
Thou Son of Man, incarnate Word,
Great David's Son, great David's Lord.
Come, Jesus, glorious heavenly Guest,
Keep Thine own Christmas in our breast,
Then David's harp strings, hushed so long,
Shall swell our jubilee of song.
Hymns supplied through the gracious generosity of the Cyber Hymnal Website