Hymns for Christmas Eve Crib Service

Hymns for 24th December 2021 – Christmas Eve Crib Service

First Carol

1. Once in Royal David’s city

stood a lowly cattle shed,

where a mother laid her baby

in a manger for his bed:

Mary was that mother mild,

Jesus Christ her little child.

2. He came down to earth from heaven

who is God and Lord of all,

and his shelter was a stable,

and his cradle was a stall;

with the poor and mean and lowly

lived on earth our Saviour holy.

Second Carol

1. Little donkey, little donkey,

on the dusty road,

got to keep on plodding onwards

with your precious load.

Been a long time, little donkey,

through the winter’s night;

don’t give up now, little donkey,

Bethlehem’s in sight.

Ring out those bells tonight, Bethlehem, Bethlehem,

Follow that star tonight, Bethlehem, Bethlehem.

Little donkey, little donkey, had a heavy day,

little donkey, carry Mary safely on her way.

Third Carol

1. Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

round yon virgin and her child:

holy infant so tender and mild,

sleep in heavenly peace;

sleep in heavenly peace!

2. Silent night! Holy night!

Shepherds quail at the sight,

glory streams from heaven afar,

heavenly hosts sing ‘Alleluia,

Christ the Saviour is born,

Christ the Saviour is born!’

Fourth Carol

1. While shepherds watched their flocks by night,

all seated on the ground,

the angel of the Lord came down,

and glory shone around.

2. ‘Fear not,’ said he (for mighty dread

had seized their troubled mind);

‘glad tidings of great joy I bring

to you and all mankind.’

Fifth Carol

Twinkle, twinkle little star,

How I wonder what you are.

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky.

Twinkle, twinkle little star,

How I wonder what you are.

Twinkle, twinkle little star,

How I wonder what you are.

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky.

Twinkle, twinkle little star,

How I wonder what you are.

Sixth Carol

1. We three kings of Orient are,

bearing gifts we travel afar

field and fountain, moor and mountain,

following yonder star:

Refrain

Oh star of wonder, star of night,

star with Royal beauty bright,

westward leading, still proceeding,

guide us to thy perfect light.

Seventh Carol – children to sing first two verses

1. Away in a manger, no crib for His bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

2. The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes but little Lord Jesus no crying He makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, and stay by my side, until morning is nigh.

3. All: Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.

Eighth Carol

1. Oh come, all ye faithful,

joyful and triumphant,

oh come ye, oh come ye, to Bethlehem;

come and behold him

born the king of angels:

Refrain

Oh come, let us adore him,

Christ the Lord!

2. Sing, choirs of angels,

sing, in exultation,

sing all ye citizens of heaven above;

glory to God

in the highest

Refrain

Ninth Carol

We wish you a Merry Christmas;

We wish you a Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring

to you and your kin;

Good tidings for Christmas

and a Happy New Year.