23.* T. 97. JESUS, the almighty Son of God, Takes up with mortals his abode; He who was sworn to Abraham, Who ever was and is the same, Came in due time and mysteries reveal'd, (were conceal'd.

Which from the world's foundation

2. We, dead in sins and trespasses, The narrow way to life and peace Had neither will nor power to find; Nor were our stubborn hearts inclin'd (know, To wish, or seek that happiness to Which love alone on sinners could bestow.

3. Then Love brake forth, "Behold me still

Prepar'd, O God, to do thy will;
I freely come, I freely die,
For guilty man to satisfy:

I in his stead will suffer on the
tree,
(set him free."
From sin, and death, and hell to
4. And thus, to save our souls from
guilt,
(spilt:
Our Surety's precious blood was
The sins of all on him were laid,
And he for all hath fully paid:
Now God, as children, freely will
receive
(believe.
Repenting sinners who in Christ

5. Out of mere grace unmerited, Salvation showers upon our head; Because the Lamb was crucified, Because the Lord of glory died, Are we invited to possess a throne, Before the world was made ordain'd our own.

Matth. Stach.

24.*

T. 22. TO God we render thanks and praise,

Who pitied mankind's fallen race, And gave his dear and only Son, That us, as children, he might own.

2. What grace, what great benevolence, (sense! What love, surpassing human For this great work no angel can Him duly praise, much less a man.

3. The Word eternal did assume Our flesh and blood, and man be(see The First and Last with wonder Partake of human misery.

come;

4. He came to seek and save the lost; (cost, We sinn'd, and he would bear the That we might share eternal bliss; O what unbounded love was this. 5. How wretched they who still despise

Jesus, the pearl of greatest price:
Those who neglect to hear his
voice,
(choice.
Must perish by their own free

6. Unhappy those who turn away.
Or such as carelessly delay
To meet their Saviour, tho' he came
Their souls from misery to reclaim.

25. T. 590. BEHOLD, to us a Child is born,

To us a Son is given;
Unto the wretched and forlorn
Descends the Lord from heaven:
The promis'd seed, Immanuel,
The everlasting God, (and hell,
Comes down to save from death
Poor sinners by his blood.

2. Great is the hidden mystery
That God became a man.
He had from all eternity,
In mercy form'd a plan
To save from misery and distress
The fallen human race;
And now the Sun of righteousness
His healing beams displays.

3. Come, sinners, view the incarnate Word,

Who us and all things made; This helpless babe is Christ the Tho' in a manger laid. (Lord, For us to die is Jesus born,

Adore his saving name; Rejoice, rejoice, for all that mourn May his salvation claim.

And make thy love's bright story
In graceful numbers shine.
3. Love caused thy incarnation,
Love brought thee down to me;
Thy thirst for my salvation

Procur'd my liberty:

O love beyond all measure,

Wherewith thou dost embrace
Mankind, 'midst all that pressure
Which since the fall takes place.
4. No sinful man's endeavour,
Nor any mortal's care,

Could draw his sovereign favour
To sinners in despair:

Uncall'd he comes with gladness,
Us from the fall to raise,
And change our grief and sadness
To songs of joy and praise.
5. Ye who with deep contrition
Bemoan your sinful state,
Fear not, Christ gives remission
Of sins, however great:
He comes, repenting sinners

With life and love to crown,
And make them happy winners
Of glory like his own.

27.*

Paul Gerhard.

T. 22.

ness,

Christ is near-thee to cheer;
Angels sing with gladness:
Unto you is born a Saviour
On this day;-don't delay
To accept God's favour.

2. Our eternal, kind Creator
Leaves his own-glorious throne,
And assumes our nature:
From perdition full exemption
To procure-and endure
Death for our redemption.
3. O the amazing demonstration
Of his love,-which we prove
By his incarnation!

If mankind by him were loathed,
How could he-deign to be
With our nature clothed?

4. See your Saviour in a manger;
'Midst his own,-yet unknown,
Treated like a stranger,
Tended by an earthly mother:
Him believe,-and receive,
He is Christ your Brother.

5. Ye that feel quite poor and needy,

Come, who will,-take your fill,
All things now are ready:

He is come to be your Saviour,
Full of love,-to remove
Guilt and curse for ever.

6. Jesus, hear my supplication,
Grant me grace-to embrace
Thee as my salvation:

Hence in peace for ever.

Paul Gerhard.

To rescue me from death and hell, Thou didst consent to stoop so low; My misery mov'd the God of grace, Who in the Father's bosom lay, When the due time had taken place,

His great compassion to display. 3. What offering shall I bring to thee,

Immanuel, my King and God? Who didst vouchsafe a man to be, To save me by thy precious blood: Thou, at whose birth the angels sing, (men," "Peace upon earth, good will to To whom the sages bumbly bring Their gifts, though thou appear so

The birth of Christ our King: Let us with humble hearts repair (Faith will point out the road) To little Bethlehem, and there Adore the incarnate God.

2. All glory to Immanuel's name The choirs of angels sing, Gladly these heralds peace proclaim,

Peace from our God and King: Well might the shepherds haste away

This wondrous babe to see; Well might the sages homage pay, And bow to him the knee.

3. We all have reason to rejoice,

When we this mystery view, That God assum'd our flesh and (blood,

O wonder ever new!
We humbly in the dust adore;
Lord, who is like to thee,
That thou, vile sinners to restore,
Didst deign a man to be.

J. Heart and M. Taylor.
31.*
T. 169.

ARISE, my spirit, bless the day
Whereon the ages' Sire
A child became; thy homage pay,

Receive him with desire.

This is the night in which he came, Was born and put on human frame,

Us sinners to deliver

From sin and death forever.

2. Welcome, thou Source of every O Jesus, King of glory; (good, Welcome, thrice welcome, Lamb of To this world transitory: (God, In grateful hymns thy name I'll praise, (my days; With heart and voice throughout For thy blest incarnation Procured my salvation."

3. O lovely Infant, thou art full Of grace above all measure; Thou art more precious to my soul

Than earth with all its treasure: Come, Jesus, come, abide with me, And let my heart thy dwelling be; Then I without cessation Shall joy in thy salvation.

32.

J. Rist. T. 79.

8. Lift your hearts nd voices high,

With hosannas fill the sky:

Glory be to God above,

Who is infinite in love.

35.*

T. 22.

IMMANUEL, to thee we sing, Thou Prince of Life, almighty King, That thou, expected ages past, Didst come to visit us at last.

men:

ALL the world give praises due;
Gol is faithful, God is true;
He to man doth comfort send
In his Son, the sinners' friend.
2. What the fathers wish'd of old,
What the promises foretold,
What the seers did prophesy,
Is fulfill'd most gloriously.
3. My salvation, welcome be;
Thou, my portion, praise to thee;
Come, and make thy blest abode
In my heart, O Son of God.

4. Grant thy comforts to my mind, Since I'm helpless, poor, and blind; O may I in faith abide

Thine, and never turn aside.
5. Jesus, when in majesty
Thou shalt come my judge to be,
Grant in grace that I may stand
Justified at thy right hand.

H. Held.

to thee,

36.*

P. Gerhard.

T. 22. TO-DAY we celebrate the birth Of Jesus Christ, who came on earth Man as his property to claim, And from perdition to redeem. 2. Awake, my heart; my soul, arise; Look who in yonder manger lies; Who is that child, so poor and mean? 'Tis he who all things doth sustain. 3. Welcome, O welcome, noble guest,

Who sinners not despised hast, But cam'st into our misery; (thee? How shall we pay due thanks to 4. Immanuel, incarnate God, Prepare my heart for thy abode: O may I, through thy aiding grace, In all I do, show forth thy praise.

Dr. M. Luther.