Let All That Are to Mirth Inclined

Let all that are to mirth inclined
Consider well, and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending his beloved Son.
For to redeem our souls from thrall,
Christ is the Saviour of us all.

Let all your songs and praises be
Unto his heavenly Majesty;
And evermore among your mirth
Remember Christ our Saviour's birth.

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The twenty-fifth day of December
We have good reason to remember:
In Bethlehem, upon that morn,
There was the blest Messiah born.

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The night before that happy tide
The spotless Virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find some lodging in the town.

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But mark how all things came to pass!
The inn and lodgings fillèd was,
That they could find no room at all
But in a silly ox's stall.

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That night the Virgin Mary mild
Was safe delivered of a child
According unto heaven's decree
Man's sweet salvation for to be.

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Near Bethlehem some shepherds keep
Their flocks and herds of feeding sheep,
To whom God's angel did appear,
Which put the shepherds in great fear.

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'Prepare and go', the angel said,
'To Bethlehem-be not afraid:
There shall you find, this blessèd morn,
The princely Babe, sweet Jesus, born.'

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With thankful heart and joyful mind
The shepherds went, this Babe to find;
And, as the heavenly angels told,
They did our Saviour, Christ, behold.

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Within a manger he was laid;
The Virgin Mary by him stayed,
Attending on the Lord of Life,
Being both mother, maid and wife.

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Three Eastern wise men from afar,
Directed by a glorious star,
Came boldly on, and made no stay
Until they came where Jesus lay.

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And, being come unto the place
Whereas the blessed Messiah was,
They humbly laid before his feet
Their gifts of gold and odors sweet.

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See how the Lord of heaven and earth
Showed himself lowly in his birth;
A sweet example for mankind
To learn to bear an humble mind.

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No costly robes nor rich attire
Did Jesus Christ our Lord desire,
No music nor sweet harmony,
Till glorious angels from on high.

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Did in melodious manner sing
Praises unto our heavenly King:
'All honor, glory, might and power
Be unto Christ, our Savior!'

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If choirs of angels did rejoice,
Well may mankind with heart and voice
Sing praises to the God of Heaven,
That unto us his Son has given.

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