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THE FIRST NOEL  The first Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; in fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a cold winter's night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel. They looked up and saw a star shining in the east, beyond them far; and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel. And by the light of that same star three Wise Men came from country far; to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel. This star drew nigh to the northwest, o'er Bethlehem it took its rest; and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel. Then entered in those Wise Men three, full reverently upon the knee, and offered there, in his presence, gold and myrrh and frankincense. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel. An English Carol  ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID'S CITY Once in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed; Mary, loving mother mild, Jesus Christ, her little child. He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall. With the poor, the scorned, the lowly lived on earth our Savior holy. Jesus is our childhood's pattern; day by day, like us he grew; he was little, weak, and helpless, tears and smiles like us he knew; and he feeleth for our sadness, and he shareth in our gladness. And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love; for that chlid so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above; and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone. Cecil Frances Alexander QUIET MY HEART, LORD Quiet my heart, Lord, and show me a Christmas as peaceful and calm as an old cattle shed... Slow down my pace, Lord, and help me seek Jesus, the Son of Your Love, in a humble straw bed... Steady my spirit, Lord, call me from chaos in simple surrender to pray and rejoice... Breakthrough the busy, too-bright celebration, and whisper your message, "Be still...hear my voice..." Be still, and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10 Author Unknown O Little Town of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the king, and peace to all on earth! How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given; so God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; o come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! Phillips Brooks ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight o'er all the earth; ye who sang creation's story now proclaim Messiah's birth: Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king. Shepherds, in the field abiding, watching o'er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing; yonder shines the infant light: Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king. James Montgomery O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL 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. True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal, lo, he shuns not the Virgin's womb; Son of the Father, 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; O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest; O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle, leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze; we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps; O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger, we would embrace thee with love and awe. Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly? O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning, Jesus, to thee be all glory given. Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. John F. Wade 
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