Good people all, this Christmas-time,
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Consider well and bear in mind
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What our good God for us has done
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In sending his beloved Son.
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With Mary holy we should pray
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To God with love this Christmas day;
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In Bethlehem upon that morn
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There was a blessed Messiah born.
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The night before that happy tide
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The noble Virgin and her guide
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Were long time seeking up and down
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To find a lodging in the town.
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But mark how all things came to pass;
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From every door repelled alas!
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As long foretold, their refuge all
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Was but an humble ox's stall.
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There were three wise men from afar
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Directed by a glorious star,
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And on they wandered night and day
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Until they came where Jesus lay,
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And when they came unto that place
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Where our beloved Messiah was,
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They humbly cast them at his feet,
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With gifts of gold and incense sweet.
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Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
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Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
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To whom God's angels did appear,
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Which put the shepherds in great fear.
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'Prepare and go', the angles said.
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'To Bethlehem, be not afraid:
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For there you'll find, this happy morn,
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A princely babe, sweet Jesus born.
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With thankful heart and joyful mind,
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The shepherds went the babe to find,
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And as God's angel had foretold,
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They did our saviour Christ behold.
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Within a manger he was laid,
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And by his side the virgin maid,
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Attending on the Lord of life,
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Who came on earth to end all strife.
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The Waxford Carol
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| Loreena McKennitt |
