God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen [full version, Oxford version] [German translation]

1. God rest you merry, gentlemen,

Let nothing you dismay,

For Jesus Christ our Saviour

Was born upon this day,

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray:

O tidings of comfort and joy,

comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

2. In Bethlehem, in Israel,

This blessed Babe was born,

And laid within a manger

Upon this blessed morn,

The which His Mother Mary

Did nothing take in scorn:

O tidings of comfort and joy,

comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

3.From God our heavenly Father

A blessèd angel came,

And unto certain shepherds

Brought tidings of the same,

How that in Bethlehem was born

The Son of God by name:

O tidings of comfort and joy,

comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

4. The shepherds at those tidings

Rejoicèd much in mind,

And left their flocks a-feeding

In tempest, storm and wind,

And went to Bethlehem straightway,

This blessèd Babe to find:

O tidings of comfort and joy,

comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

5. But when to Bethlehem they came,

Whereat this Infant lay,

They found Him in a manger,

Where oxen feed on hay;

His mother Mary kneeling,

Unto the Lord did pray:

O tidings of comfort and joy,

comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

6. Now to the Lord sing praises,

All you within this place,

And with true love and brotherhood

Each other now embrace;

This holy tide of Christmas

All others doth deface:

O tidings of comfort and joy,

comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.