"O Shepherd of Israel,

Thy lost flock are straying;

Our Helper, our Saviour,

How long thy delaying!

Where, Lord, is thy promise

To David of old,

Of the King and the Shepherd

To gather the fold!

"Cold, cold is the night wind,

Our hearts have no cheer,

Our Lord and our Leader,

When wilt thou appear?"

So sang the sad shepherds

On Bethlehem's cold ground

When lo, the bright angels

In glory around!

"Peace, peace, ye dear shepherds,

And be of good cheer;

The Lord whom ye long for

Is coming—is here!

In the city of David

Behold him appear—

A babe in a manger—

Go worship him there."

They went and were blessèd.

Dear soul, go thou too;

The Saviour for them

Is the Saviour for you.

Oh, kneel by the manger,

Oh, kneel by the cross;

Accept him, believe him,—

All else is but dross.