OF

F the Father, sole begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,

He the Alpha and Omega,

He the source, the ending He,

Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!

mf 2 He is here, Whom seers in old time
Chanted of, while ages ran;
Whom the writings of the Prophets
Promised since the world began:
Then foretold, now manifested,

Praise Him, every child of man,
Evermore and evermore!
ff 3 Praise Him, O ye heaven of heavens!
Praise Him, angels in the height!
Praise Him every power and kingdom,
Praise Him in His boundless might:

86 HOLY NATIVITY.

Let no tongue of man be silent,
Let each heart and voice unite,
Evermore and evermore.

mf 4 Thee let age and Thee let manhood,
Thee let choirs of infants sing;
mp Thee the matrons and the maidens,
And the children answering,
cr Let their guileless song re-echo,

And their heart its praises bring,
Evermore and evermore !

ff 5 Laud and honour to the Father,
Laud and honour to the Son,
Laud and honour to the Spirit,
Ever Three and ever One :
Consubstantial, Co-eternal,
While unending ages run,

Evermore and evermore!

Amen.

PRUDENTIUS, tr. J. M. NEALE, altd.

CROIL FALCONER.

sang,

Proclaiming Thy royal degree;

They bore Thee to Calvary :

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
Thy cross is my only plea.

ст

dim

on earth,

And in great humility.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

mf 3 The foxes found rest, and the bird its nest
In the shade of the cedar tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou
Son of God,

choirs shall sing

At Thy coming to victory,

cr Let Thy voice call me home, saying,

f

"Yet there is room

f

ƒ CHRISTIANS, awake, salute the happy

morn,

[born; Whereon the Saviour of mankind was 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.

mf 2 Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,

Who heard the angelic herald's voice:
"Behold,

I bring good tidings of a Saviour's birth
To you and all the nations upon earth:
This day hath God fulfilled His promised
word,
[Lord."
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the

f3 He spake, and straightway the celestial.

choir,

[spire:

In hymns of joy, unknown before, conThe praises of redeeming love they

sang,

cross;

cr Tread in His steps, assisted by His grace, Till man's first heavenly state again takes place.

5 Then may we hope, the angelic thrones among,

To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song;
He that was born upon this joyful day,
Around us all His glory shall display;
Saved by His love, incessant we shall sing
Eternal praise to heaven's Almighty King.
Amen.

J. BYRON, v. 3, 1. 6, v. 4, l. 1, v. 5, l. 6. altd.