1. While shepherds watched their flocks by night,   All seated on the ground,   The angel of the Lord came down,   And glory shone around.   "Fear not," said he, for mighty dread   Had seized their troubled minds;   "Glad tidings of great joy I bring   To you and all mankind.   2. "To you, in David's town, this day,   Is born of David's line   A Savior, who is Christ the Lord;   And this shall be the sign:   The heavenly Babe you there shall find   To human view displayed,   All meanly wrapped in swaddling-clothes   And in a manger laid."      3. Thus spake the seraph,--and forthwith   Appeared a shining throng   Of angels, praising God, and thus   Addressed their joyful song:   "All glory be to God on high,   And to the earth be peace;   Good will henceforth from Heaven to men   Begin and never cease."