The Wexford Carol is one of the oldest carols still being sung today dating from as far back as 1100 AD. It is at its core a Nativity carol and ends with the following last stanza which reads

“Come, let us then our tributes payTo our good God, as well we may,For all His grace and mercy shownThrough His Son to us till then unknown;And when through life we wind our way’Mid trials and suff’rings, day by day,In faith and hope, whate’er befall,We’ll wait in peace His holy call”

What a great encouragement this Advent season.

Lyrics

Good people all, this Christmas time,Consider well and bear in mindWhat our good God for us has doneIn sending his beloved sonThen let us all both sing and prayTo God with love this Christmas DayIn Bethlehem upon that morn,There was a blessed Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide,The noble Virgin and her guideWere long time seeking up and downTo find a lodging in the town.But mark right well what came to passFrom every door repelled, alas,As was foretold, their refuge allWas but a humble ox’s stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keepTheir flocks of lambs and feeding sheepTo whom God’s angels did appearWhich put the shepherds in great fearPrepare and go, the angels saidTo Bethlehem, be not afraidFor there you’ll find, this happy mornA princely babe, sweet Jesus, born.

With thankful heart and joyful mindThe shepherds went the babe to findAnd as God’s angel had foretoldThey did our Savior Christ beholdWithin a manger he was laidAnd by his side the virgin maidAttending to the Lord of LifeWho came on earth to end all strife.

There were three wise men from afarDirected by a glorious starAnd on they wandered night and dayUntil they came where Jesus layAnd when they came unto that placeWhere our beloved Messiah layThey humbly cast them at his feetWith gifts of gold and incense sweet.

Come, let us then our tributes payTo our good God, as well we may,For all His grace and mercy shownThrough His Son to us till then unknown;And when through life we wind our way’Mid trials and suff’rings, day by day,In faith and hope, whate’er befall,We’ll wait in peace His holy call

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