waken christian children

waken! christian children,
up and let us sing,
with glad voice the praises
of our newborn king.

up! ’tis meet to welcome
with a joyous lay
christ, the king of glory,
born for us today.

come, nor fear to seek him,
children though we be;
once he said of children,
“let them come to me.”

in a manger lowly
sleeps the heav’nly child;
o’er him fondly bendeth
mary, mother mild.

far above that stable,
up in heav’n so high,
one bright star out-shineth,
watching silently.

fear not then to enter,
though we cannot bring
gold, or myrrh, or incense
fitting for a king.

gifts he asketh richer,
offerings costlier still,
yet may christian children
bring them if they will.

brighter than all jewels
shines the modest eye;
best of gifts he loveth
infant purity.

haste we then to welcome
with a joyous lay
christ, the king of glory,
born for us today.