The United Methodist Hymnal

224

Good Christian Friends, Rejoice

1 Good Christian friends, rejoice
  with heart and soul and voice;
  give ye heed to what we say:
  News, news!
  Jesus Christ is born today!
  Ox and ass before him bow,
  and he is in the manger now.
  Christ is born today,
  Christ is born today!

2 Good Christian friends, rejoice,
  with heart and soul and voice;
  now ye hear of endless bliss:
  News, news!
  Jesus Christ was born for this!
  He hath opened heaven's door,
  and ye are blest forevermore.
  Christ was born for this,
  Christ was born for this!

3 Good Christian friends, rejoice,
  with heart and soul and voice;
  now ye need not fear the grave:
  News, news!
  Jesus Christ was born to save!
  Calls you one and calls you all
  to gain his everlasting hall.
  Christ was born to save,
  Christ was born to save!

WORDS: John Mason Neale, 1855
MUSIC: Gary Alan Smith, 1988
Theme: Christ's Gracious Life: Birth and Baptism; Christ's Gracious Life: Birth and Baptism; Christian Year: Christmas; Christian Year: Christmas; Christian Year: Epiphany; Christian Year: Epiphany; Jesus Christ; Joy; Salvation