From heaven high I come to you,
I bring you tidings good and new;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I now will say and sing:
To you this night is born a child
Of Mary, chosen virgin mild;
This little child, of lowly birth,
Shall be the joy of all the earth.
This is the Christ, our God and Lord,
Who in all need shall aid afford;
He will himself your Saviour be
From all your sins to set you free.
These are the tokens ye shall mark:
The swaddling-clothes and manger dark:
There ye shall find the Infant laid
By whom the heav'ns and earth were made.
Now let us all with gladsome cheer
Go with the shepherds and draw near
To see the precious gift of God,
Who hath his own dear Son bestowed.
Welcome to earth, thou noble Guest,
Through whom the sinful world is blest!
In my distress thou com'st to me;
What thanks shall I return to thee?