O Night, restful and deep
The Babe folded in sleep,
In a poor manger dreameth!
Moonlight softly doth shine,
Around melody streameth:
“He is the Babe Divine!
He is the Babe Divine!”

O Dawn, rosy and shy,
Greet Him where He doth lie,
At the birds’ call awaking!
As clouds fleeing from sight,
So all shadows are breaking:
”He is the dark World’s Light!
He is the dark World’s Light!”

Oh Morn, lovely and blest,
Round Him, guarding His rest,
Angels gently are singing:
”Hail Him! Heavenly Dove!”
Their notes joyfully ringing:
”He is the King of Love!
He is the King of Love!”

O Day, glorious the hour,
Jesus mighty in power,
Waketh in lowly manger!
He bids sorrowing cease;
Seek Him ever in danger!
He is the sad World’s Peace.
He is the sad World’s Peace.

words from O bienheureuse nuit, a French Noel, English Translation by K. W. Simpson

A spotless Rose is blowing
Sprung from a tender root,
Of ancient seers’ foreshowing,
Of Jesse promised fruit;
Its fairest bud unfolds to light
Amid the cold, cold winter
And in the dark midnight.

The Rose which I am singing,
Whereof Isaiah said,
Is from its sweet root springing
In Mary, purest Maid;
For through our God’s great love and might
The blessed babe she bare us
In a cold, cold winter’s night.

Words: Es Ist Ein Ros, 15th Century German carol,
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1869

Tell, O shepherds, tell the story
Of the wonders ye have seen;
Of the King of grace and glory
Cradled in a manger mean;
Of th’incarnate Word most holy,
Lying In the stall so lowly.
Cum Maria Virgine.

How ye heard the angels singing
Canticles of holy mirth;
Ev’ry hill and vale a-ringing
With the chorus ‘Peace on earth
Peace and love end full salvation
Now is come to all creation.
Christus natus hodie.

He whom Seer and Prophet hoary,
Long fortold in time afore,
Lo, is here in fullest glory,
To abide for evermore.
Holy Babe we bow before Thee.
And on bended knee adore Thee.
Reddens laudes Domino.

Redeemer of the nations, come!
Ransom of earth, here make Thy home!
Bright Sun, oh dart Thy flame to earth,
For so shall God in Christ have birth!

Thou comest from Thy kingly throne,
O Son of God, the Virgin’s Son!
Thou Hero of a twofold race,
Dost walk in might earth’s darkest place.

Thou stoopest once to suffer here,
Risest o’er the starry sphere;
Hell’s gates at Thy descent were riven,
Ere thy ascent to highest Heaven.

How bright Thy lowly manger beams!
Down earth’s dark vale its glory streams,
The splendour of Thy natal night
Shines through all Time in deathless light.