Hodie Christus natus est

All hail this blessed new morn,

For upon this day we can say

Our Saviour Jesus Christ

Has now been born.

We can feel his new-born light

That cancels our long dark night,

From which now comes the day

To where the infant child does lay,

And from whose miraculous birth

Heaven descends down to Earth.

And hail the Blessed Virgin,

So full now of Gods Grace;

Whence Spirit and Maid have met

The Word now becomes manifest

Without the least disgrace.

As now she holds the baby child

At peace in such a rustic place,

And tucking in his blanket fold,

Her breast now lent down

To his eager hungry face.

Joy to the World as we praise,

Heaven and Earth are in accord,

Since God did speak one Word,

That Word has now been born

As mortal flesh here in this barn:

While in his cradle sleeping he lies,

Angels descend and shepherds arise,

Come to worship, to look and see

The Christmas wonder for eternity.

D G Moody 2023