peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled;

joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies;

With th'angelic host pro-claim, Christ is born in Bethlehem;

Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the new born King.

Christ by highest heav'n adored, Christ the ever lasting Lord;

Late in time behold him come, off-spring of a Virgin's womb;

veiled in flesh the God-head see, hail the incarnate Deity,

pleased as Man with man to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel;

Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the new born King.

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace, hail the Son 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;

Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the new born King.

Away in a manager, no crib for a bed,

the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,

the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes;

I love thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,

and stay by my side until morning is nigh;

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay

close by me forever and love me, I pray;

bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

o come ye, o come ye, to Bethlehem;

Come and behold him, born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore him

O come, let us adore him

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

God of God, light of light;

Lo! He abhors not the Virgin's womb,

Very God, begotten not created;

O come, let us adore him

O come, let us adore him

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation;

Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;

Glory to God in the highest;

O come, let us adore him

O come, let us adore him

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Merry Christmas from English Heritage