Now praise we Christ, the Holy One

1 Now praise we Christ, the Holy One,
The blessed virgin Mary's Son,
Far as the blessed sun doth shine,
E'en to the world's remote confine.

2 He who Himself all things did make,
A servant's form vouchsafed to take,
That He as man mankind might win,
And save His creatures from their sin.

3 The grace of God, the mighty Lord,
On the chaste mother was outpoured;
A virgin pure and undefiled
In wondrous wise conceived a child.

4 The noble mother bare a Son,
For so did Gabriel's promise run,
Whom John confessed, and leapt with joy,
Ere yet the mother knew her boy.

5 In a rude manger, stretched on hay,
In poverty content He lay;
With milk was fed the Lord of all,
Who feeds the ravens when they call.

6 The heavenly choirs rejoice, and raise
Their voice to God in songs of praise;
To humble shepherds is proclaimed
The Shepherd who the world hath framed.