NATIVITY
From virgin’s womb this Christmas day did spring
The precious seed that only saved man:
This day let man rejoice and sweetly sing
Since on this day salvation first began.
This day did Christ man’s soul from death remove,
With glorious saints to dwell in heav’n above.
This day to man came pledge of perfect peace:
This day to man came love and unity:
This day man’s grief began for to cease,
This day did man receive a remedy
For each offence and ev’ry deadly sin
That he, with guilty heart, has wandered in.
‘A Carol for Christmas Day’ by Francis Kindlemarsh (fl. C. 1570) Verses 1-2.
Tune 24 Orlando Gibbons
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth,
and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Luke 2: 6-7