While shepherds watched their flocks

88 Christmas. C. M.

1 While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
   all seated on the ground,
   the angel of the Lord came down,
   and glory shone around, 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, to you and all mankind.

3 "To you, in David's town, this day
   is born of David's line
   the Savior, who is Christ the Lord;
   and this shall be the sign, and this shall be the sign:

4 "The heavenly babe you there shall find
   to human view displayed,
   all simply wrapped in swaddling clothes
   and in a manger laid,, and in a manger laid."

5 Thus spake the seraph. And forthwith
   appeared a shining throng
   of angels praising God, on high
   who thus addressed their song:

6 "All glory be to God on high,
   and to the earth be peace;
   to those on whom his favor rests
   goodwill shall never cease!"
                         Nahum Tate
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
The author's biography is a sad story, but they do list quite a few hymns by him that are still being sung besides this one.
</idle musing>