Now Praise We Christ, the Holy One

Verse 1

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

Verse 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.

Verse 3

The grace of God, th'Almighty Lord,
On the chaste mother was outpoured a virgin pure and undefiled In wondrous wise conceived a child.

Verse 4

The holy maid became th'abode And temple of the living God;
And she, who knew not man,
was blest With God's own Word made manifest.

Verse 5

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.

Verse 6

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.

Verse 7

Th' angelic choir rejoice,
and raise Their voice to God in songs of praise;
To humble shepherds is proclaimed The Shepherd who the world hath framed.

Verse 8

Honor to Thee, O Christ, be paid,
Pure offspring of a holy maid,
With Father and with Holy Ghost,
Till time in time's abyss be lost.