The Son of God, th' eternal king,
That did us all salvation bring,
  And freed the soul from danger;
He whom the whole world could not take,
The Word, which heaven and earth did make,
  Was now laid in a manger.

The Father's wisdom willed it so,
The Son's obedience knew no No,
  Both wills were in one stature;
And as that wisdom had decreed.
The Word was now made flesh indeed.
  And took on him our nature.

What comfort by him do we win.
Who made himself the price of sin.
  To make us heirs of glory !
To see this babe all innocence;
A martyr born in our defence:
  Can man forget the story?

  Sweet music, sweeter far
  Than any song is sweet:
  Sweet music, heavenly rare,
  Mine ears, O peers, doth greet.
  You gentle flocks, whose fleeces pearled with dew.