behold the grace appears

behold, the grace appears!
the promise is fulfilled;
mary, the wondrous virgin, bears,
and jesus is the child.

the lord, the highest god,
calls him his only son;
he bids him rule the lands abroad,
and gives him david’s throne.

o’er jacob shall he reign
with a peculiar sway;
the nations shall his grace obtain,
his kingdom ne’er decay.

to bring the glorious news
a heav’nly form appears;
he tells the shepherds of their joys,
and banishes their fears.

“go, humble swains,” said he,
“to david’s city fly;
the promised infant born today
doth in a manger lie.”

“with looks and hearts serene,
go visit christ your king;
and straight a flaming troop was seen:
the shepherds heard them sing:

“glory to god on high!
and heav’nly peace on earth;
goodwill to men, to angels joy,
at the redeemer’s birth!”

in worship so divine,
let saints employ their tongues;
with the celestial hosts we join,
and loud repeat their songs:

“glory to god on high!
and heav’nly peace on earth;
goodwill to men, to angels joy,
at our redeemer’s birth!”