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CHRISTMAS.

CHRIST! to Thee, with GoD the FATHER, And, O HOLY GHOST, to Thee! Hymn, and chant, and high thanksgiving, And unwearied praises be, Honour, and chant, and dominion, And eternal victory,

Evermore and evermore! Amen.

" Behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy."

CHRISTIANS, awake, salute the happy morn, Whereon the SAVIOUR of mankind was born; 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.

Then to the watchful shepherds it was told, Who heard the angelic herald's voice:" Behold, I bring good tidings of a SA VIOUR's birth To you and all the nations upon earth: This day hath GOD fulfilled His promised word, This day is born a SAVIOUR, CHRIST the LORD."

He spake; and straightway the celestial quire In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire: The praises of redeeming love they sang, And heaven's whole orb with alleluias rang; GOD's highest glory was their anthem still, Peace upon earth, and unto men good- will.

To Bethlehem straight th' enlightened shepherds ran, To see the wonders GoD had wrought for man: Then to their flocks, still praising GOD, return, And their glad hearts with holy rapture burn: To all the joyful tidings they proclaim, The first apostles of the SAVIOUR'S Name.