Behold, The Grace Appears!

Christmas Hymn

Words: Isaac Watts, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1707-9.

Hymn 1:3.
The nativity of Christ, Luke 1. 30 &c. Luke 2, 10 &c.

Compare: Behold What Grace Appears
Dunstan, The Cornish Song Book

Music: "Festal Song," William Henry Walter, 1894
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Meter: S. M.

1. Behold, the grace appears!
The promise is fulfilled;
Mary, the wondrous virgin, bears,
And Jesus is the Child.

2. The Lord, the highest God,
Calls Him His only Son;
He bids Him rule the lands abroad,
And gives Him David’s throne.

3. O’er Jacob shall He reign
With a peculiar sway;
The nations shall His grace obtain,
His kingdom ne’er decay.

4. To bring the glorious news
A heav’nly form appears;
He tells the shepherds of their joys,
And banishes their fears.

5. "Go, humble swains," said he,
"To David’s city fly;
The promised Infant born today
Doth in a manger lie."

6. "With looks and hearts serene,
Go visit Christ your King;
And straight a flaming troop was seen:
The shepherds heard them sing:

7. "Glory to God on high!
And heav’nly peace on earth;
Goodwill to men, to angels joy,
At the Redeemer’s birth!"

8. In worship so divine,
Let saints employ their tongues;
With the celestial hosts we join,
And loud repeat their songs:

9. "Glory to God on high!
And heav’nly peace on earth;
Goodwill to men, to angels joy,
At our Redeemer’s birth!"

Sheet Music by Thos. Jarmon, 1825

Note:

Also found in G. Walters, A Good Christmas Box (Dudley: G. Walters, 1847, Reprinted by Michael Raven, 2007), p. 38.

Alternate first verse from J. G. Adams and E. H. Chapin, eds., Hymns for Christian Devotion - Especially Adapted to the Universalist Denomination. Boston: Abel Tompkins, 1853, #206:

1. Behold, the grace appears,
The blessing promised long;
Angels announce the Saviour near,
In this triumphant song:

This verse was followed by verses 7-9, above.

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