Behold the grace appears

Behold, the grace appears!
The promise is fulfilled;
Mary, the wondrous virgin, bears,
And Jesus is the child.

The Lord, the highest God,
Calls him his only Son;
He bids him rule the lands abroad,
And gives him david’s throne.

O’er jacob shall he reign
With a peculiar sway;
The nations shall his grace obtain,
His kingdom ne’er decay.

To bring the glorious news
A heav’nly form appears;
He tells the shepherds of their joys,
And banishes their fears.

“go, humble swains,” said he,
“to david’s city fly;
The promised infant born today
Doth in a manger lie.”

“with looks and hearts serene,
Go visit Christ your king;
And straight a flaming troop was seen:
The shepherds heard them sing:

“glory to God on high!
And heav’nly peace on earth;
Goodwill to men, to angels joy,
At the redeemer’s birth!”

In worship so divine,
Let saints employ their tongues;
With the celestial hosts we join,
And loud repeat their songs:

“glory to God on high!
And heav’nly peace on earth;
Goodwill to men, to angels joy,
At our redeemer’s birth!”