Tune: Irby
(\'Once in royal David\'s city\')
Matthew 1 v.18-25
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Birth of Jesus Christ on this wise
Was, if a seeming surprise
When His mother Mary espoused
To Joseph, to him avowed
A virgin she, child would bear
The Spirit His Father there
Joseph, good man, he was willing
No shame upon her to bring
But to unbetroth secretly
Public scandal for to flee
But then angel of the Lord
Spoke to him, gave him this word
In a dream said, Joseph, fear not
To take Mary, fine your lot
You of David a descendant
I from the Lord to you sent
Take [her] as your wife, undeceived
By the Spirit she conceived
She shall bring forth a son, and name
Him JESUS Christ, He the same
Name of Saviour, for save He shall
His people from their sins, tell
The prophets these things would be
Fulfilled shall be prophecy
Prophecy, A virgin shall be
With child miraculously
And shall bring forth a son, and all
Shall call Him Emmanuel
This means \'God with us\', His birth
Humble, lowly upon earth
So Joseph from his sleep did wake
And Mary betrothed did take
As the angel to him had bid
Then her virgin birth unhid
Her first-born son, named JESUS
Saviour born for all of us