Field Stone Cottage Blog

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Sunday's Hymn: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.

"Fear not," said he—for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind—
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.

"To you in David's town this day,
Is born of David's line,
The Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord,
And this shall be the sign.

"The heav'nly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid."

Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song:

"All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace:
Good will henceforth, from heav'n to men,
Begin and never cease!"

Nahum Tate, 1700
Tune: Christmas, George Frederick Handel, 1728

3 comments:

Persis said...

"All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace:
Good will henceforth, from heav'n to men,
Begin and never cease!"

Amen!

ellen b. said...

What an amazing thing the Shepherds witnessed that night! Merry Christmas Dorothy.

rosemary said...

I love this hymn too--and it's the one I posted, not knowing you already did. Maybe we're long-lost cousins, Dorothy. Or at least hymn-posting twins. :)