Sunday, December 6, 2009

Mom's Favorite Christmas Carol

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’” Luke 2:13-14

***
Angels From the Realms of Glory
by James Montgomery

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.

Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.

Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence,
Mercy calls you; break your chains.

Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:

All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To th’eternal Three in One.

Refrain:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

3 comments:

Frances said...

Kati, I have just read all of these words and I am so moved by them. I don't think I'm familiar with the verse about repentance. How powerful! Thank you for sharing this wonderful hymn. I love it.

Kristin said...

Yeah, this is a good one!

Cheryl said...

Thanks for sharing my favorite, Kati! It is the entire Christmas/gospel story in one beautiful song. (And it helps that the tune is lovely too. :-)
Frances, I don't think that the fifth verse is in most hymnals, but I agree with you...these words are so powerful!