Ireland

Good people all, this Christmas time, consider well and bear in mind
What our good God, for us has done, in sending his beloved Son
With Mary holy we should pray, to God with love this Christmas Day,
In Bethlehem upon that morn, there was a blessed Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide, the noble Virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down to find a lodging in the town
But mark how all things came to pass: from every door repelled, alas!
As long foretold their refuge all was but an humble ox’s stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
To whom God’s angels did appear, which put the shepherds in great fear
“Prepare and go,” the angels said, “To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you’ll find this happy morn a princely babe, sweet Jesus born.”

With thankful heart and joyful mind the shepherds went the babe to find
And as God’s angel had foretold, they did our Saviour Christ behold
Within a manger he was laid, and by his side the virgin maid
Attending on the Lord of life, who came on earth to end all strife

There were three wise men from afar, directed by a glorious star
And on they wandered night and day, until they came where Jesus lay
And when they came unto that place where our beloved Messiah was
They humbly cast them at his feet, with gifts of gold and incense sweet.