The Happy Christmas Comes Once More

For Christmas

Version 1
Compare: The Happy Christmas Comes Once More - Version 2

Words: "Det Kimer Nu Til Julfest," Nicolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, 1817
Translator: Charles Porterfield Krauth (1823-1883), 1867
Country of Origin: Denmark

Music: "Det Kimer Nu Til Julefest," Carl C. N. Balle, 1850
SATB: MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML
Meter: L. M.

Source for verses 1-6, 9: O. Hardwig, The Wartburg Hymnal (Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918), #97
Source for verses 7 & 8: Lost

1. The happy Christmas comes once more,
The heav'nly Guest is at the door,
The blessed words, the shepherds thrill,
The joyous tidings, peace good will.

2. To David's city let us fly,
Where angels sing beneath the sky,
Through plain and village pressing near,
And news from God the shepherds hear.

3. O let us go with quiet mind,
The gentle Babe with shepherds find;
To gaze on Him Who gladdens them,
The loveliest Flower on Jesse's stem.

4. The lowly Savior meekly lies,
Laid off the splendor of the skies;
No crown bedecks His forehead fair,
No pearl, nor gem, nor silk is there.

5. No human glory, might, and gold,
The lovely Infant's form enfold;
The manger and the swaddlings poor
Are His, Whom angels' songs adore.

6. O wake our hearts, in gladness sing,
And keep our Christmas with our King',
Till living song, from loving souls,
Like sound of mighty water rolls!

7. O holy Child, thy manger gleams
Till earth and heaven glow with its beams,
Till midnight noon's broad light hath won,
And Jacob's star outshines the sun.

8. Thou patriarchs' joy, thou prophets' song,
Thou heavenly Dayspring, looked for long,
Thou Son of Man, incarnate Word,
Great David's Son, great David's Lord:

9. Come Jesus, glorious heav'nly guest,
Keep Thine own Christmas in our breast;
Then David's harp string, hushed so long,
Shall swell our jubilee of song.

Sheet Music from O. Hardwig, ed., The Wartburg Hymnal (Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918), #97

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