God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen

God rest you merry, Gentlemen!Let nothing you dismay;Remember Christ our SaviourWas born upon this day,To save us all from Satan’s powerWhen we were gone astray.

Refrain, after each verseO tidings of comfort and joy,O tidings of comfort and joy.

In Bethlehem in JuryThis blessèd Babe was born,And laid within a mangerUpon this blessèd morn:The which His Mother MaryNothing did take in scorn.

From God, our Heavenly Father,A blessèd angel came,And unto certain shepherdsBrought tidings of the same,How that in Bethlehem was bornThe Son of God by name.

“Fear not,” then said the angel,“Let nothing you affright:This day is born a SaviourOf virtue, power, and might;So frequently to vanquish allThe friends of Satan quite.”

The shepherds at those tidingsRejoiced much in mind,And left their flocks a-feedingIn tempest, storm, and wind,And went to Bethlehem straightwayThis blessèd Babe to find.

But when to Bethlehem they came,Where this dear Infant lay,They found Him in a mangerWhere oxen feed on hay;His mother Mary, kneeling,Unto the Lord did pray.

Now to the Lord sing praises,All you within this place,And with true love and brotherhoodEach other now embrace;This holy-tide of ChristmasAll others doth efface.