Wesley Corpus

O might they all receive The new-born Prince of Peace, And meekly in his Spirit live, And in his love increase! Till he convey us home, Cry every soul aloud, Come, thou desire of nations come, And take us all to God. Page 4 5First appeared in Nativity Hymns (1745), 4-5 (3). 6Nativity Hymns ori., "man." Hymn II.5 On the Nativity; or, The Shepherd's Song. Angels speak, let men6 give ear! Sent from high They are nigh, And forbid our fear. () News they bring us of salvation, Sounds of joy To employ Every tongue and nation. () Welcome tidings! To retrieve us From our fall, Born for all, Christ is born to save us: Born, his creatures to restore: Abject earth Sees his birth, Whom the heavens adore. Page 5 7Nativity Hymns ori., "swaths." Wrapt in swathes7 th' immortal stranger Man with men We have seen Lying in a manger. All to God's free grace is owing: We are his Witnesses Poor, and nothing knowing. Simple shepherds, us he raises, Bids us sing Christ the King, And shew forth his praises. We have seen the King of Glory, We proclaim Christ his name, And record his story. Page 6 8First appeared in Nativity Hymns (1745), 11-12 (8). 9Nativity Hymns reads "Lamb of God", rather than "Son of man." Sing we with the host of heaven, Reconcil'd By a child Who to us is given. Glory be to God the giver! Peace and love From above Reign on earth for ever! Hymn III. On the Nativity.8 Away with our fears! The Godhead appears, In Christ reconcil'd, The Father of mercies in Jesus the child. He comes from above In manifest love, The desire of our eyes, The meek Son of man9 in a manger he lies. () Page 7 10Nativity Hymns ori., "rise on." At Immanuel's birth What a triumph on earth! Yet could it afford No better a place for its heavenly Lord? The Antient of Days, To redeem a lost race, From his glory comes down, Self-humbled, to carry us up to a crown. Made flesh for our sake, That we might partake The nature divine, And again in his image, his holiness, shine, An heavenly birth Experience on earth, And rise to10 his throne, And live with our Jesus eternally one.