Tune: Forest Green
(\'O little town of Bethlehem\')
Matthew 1 v.18-23
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Now birth of Jesus Christ was so
\'Tis written, we may know
When His mother Mary betrothed
To Jospeh, thus encoved (i.e. encovenanted)
Before they married, she was found
With child, tidings did sound
Was by the Holy Spirit\'s power
In that a favoured hour
Then Joseph her husband to be
Was just, had respect, see
Not willing to show her up, he
Set to deal privately
To put her away, but as he
Thought on these things freely
An angel to him did appear
In a dream did draw near
Angel said, Joseph, fear not to
Take Mary unto you
For your wife, for that in her be
Conceived by God, here see
\'Tis by the Holy spirit\' act
A virgin birth, a face
And she shall sure bring forth a son
JESUS, the holy one
That shall be His name, for He shall
Save His people, know well
From their sins, so the prophecy
Of Isaiah shall be
Fulfilled, saying, Behold, virgin
Shall bear one without sin
And they shall Emmanuel call
Him, God with us, with all