Simple Short Daily Prayer Books Series Book 2

Brown Lutheran Hymnal: 359-373

Christmas Song Section
1. 359: Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

Verse 1: Lo, how a rose e'er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse's lineage coming as prophets long have sung it came a flow'ret bright. Amid the cold of winter when half spent was the night.

Verse 2: Isaiah 'twas foretold it the rose I have in mind with Mary we behold it. The virgin Mother kind to show God's love aright.. She bore to us a Savior when half spent was the night.

Verse 3: This flow'r whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air dispels with glorious splendor the darkness ev'rywhere True man yet very God from sin and death he says us. And lightens ev'ry load!

Verse 4: O Savior child of Mary who felt our human woe. O Savior King of Glory who dost our weakness know bring us at length we pray to the bright courts of heaven and to the endless day!

Text: German 16th century
Verse 1, 2 & 4 by Friedrich L. C. Layriz And years from 1808-59 Verse 3 was added.
Translated by Theodore Baker 1851-1934 Verses 1 & 2. Translated by Harriet R. K. Spaeth 1845-1925 verse 3.
Translated by John C. Mattes 1876-1948 Verse 4.

2. 360: All My Heart Again Rejoices

Verse 1: All my heart again rejoiced as I hear far and near sweetest angel voices. "'Christ is born!'" their choirs are singing till the air ev'rywhere now with joy is ringing.

Verse 2: Hear! The Conqueror has spoken. "'Now the foe , sin and woe; death and hell are broken!'" God is man, man to deliver and the Son now is one with our blood forever!

Verse 3: Should we fear our God's displeasure who to save freely gave His most precious treasure? To redeem us He has given His own Son from the throne of His might in heaven.

Verse 4: See the Lamb our sin once taking to the cross Suff'ring loss, full atonement making for our life His own life He has given and His grace all our race fit for glory renders.

Verse 5: Softly from His lowly manger Jesus calls
One and all. "'You are safe from danger! Children, from the sins that grieve you, you are freed! All you need I will surely give you."

Verse 6: Come then banish all your sadness!
One and all; great and small!
Come with songs of gladness.
We shall live with Him forever
There on high
In that joy
Which will vanish never.

Text: Paul Gerhardt 1607-76 translated by Catherine Winkworth 1827-78

3. 361: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Verse 1: O little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by yet in thy darkness shineth the everlasting light. The hoped and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

Verse 2: For Christ is born of Mary and gathered all above while mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love. O morning stars together proclaim the holy birth and praises sing to God the king and peace to all the earth!

Verse 3: How silently how silently the wondrous gift is giv'n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav'n no ear may hear His coming but in this world of sin where meek souls will receive Him still the dear Christ enters in.

Verse 4: O holy Child of Bethlehem descend to us we pray. Cast out our sins and enter in be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell. O come to us, abide with us, O Lord Immanuel!

Text: Phillips Brooks 1835-93
Public Domain

3. 362: O Sing of Christ

Verse 1: O sing of Christ whose birth made known the kindness of the Lord Eternal Word made flesh and bone so we could be restored. Upon our frail humanity God's finger chose to trace the fullness of His deity the icon of His grace.