The Shepherds’ Song

Luke 2:8-20
 While shepherds watched their flocks one night,
The night of Jesus’ birth,
To their surprise before their eyes
An angel came to earth.
 
He said, to calm their awful fright,
Take heart, and have no fear;
I bring you news — for more than Jews — 
For all the world to hear.
 
For unto you is born this day
A Savior — Christ, the Lord.
Then in the air, beside him there,
A host of angels soared.
 
They lit the sky as bright as day
And echoed through the glen:
May God be praised!  On earth He lays
His peace — good will to men!
 
When they had gone away from them,
A shepherd found his voice:
Let’s see this thing which angels sing
That we may, too, rejoice.
 
So off they went to Bethlehem
And found the manger bed.
Then full of joy they left the boy,
And this is what they said:
 
May God be praised!  For we have found
The hope of Israel.
The prophets’ word has now occurred.
He’s come — Emmanuel.
 
How right to find in David’s town
Both shepherds and a King;
For this, we laud almighty God,
While sons of heaven sing.