Hymn for Christmas Day

Charles Wesley · 1739–1740

Catalog grade guidance: 3–12 — Hymn text; suitable for singing or spoken recitation.

42 content lines · 234 words · Est. recitation about 2 min 22 sec (approx.)

Public-domain text for reading and recitation practice. Source: The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley, ed. G. Osborn, vol. 1 (London: Wesleyan-Methodist Conference Office, 1868), reprinting Hymns and Sacred Poems (1739) and (1740), via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.Estimated time uses ~120 words/minute plus short pauses—not a contest rule.

HYMN FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
[Hymns and Sacred Poems (1739)]

Hark how all the welkin rings,
“Glory to the King of kings,
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
Universal Nature, say,
“Christ the Lord is born to-day!”

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.

Veil’d in flesh, the Godhead see,
Hail the Incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to appear
Jesus, our Immanuel here!

Hail the heavenly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.

Mild He lays His glory by,
Born—that man no more may die,
Born—to raise the sons of earth,
Born—to give them second birth.

Come, Desire of Nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conquering Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.

Now display Thy saving power,
Ruin’d nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thy image in its place;
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.

Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the Inner Man:
O to all Thyself impart,
Form’d in each believing heart.