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 Chorale Texts
CHRISTMAS-ORATORIO
BWV 248 (1734), First, Second, and Third Part
First Part
For the first day of Christmas
1. CORO
Rejoice, exult, arise, praise the day,
Extol what the Almighty this day has done!
Banish all care, leave off complaining,
Raise your voices in joy and in mirth!
Serve the Almighty with glorious choirs,
Let as glorify the Name of the Lord!
2. EVANGELISTA
And it came to pass in those days, that there
went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that
all the world should be taxed. And all went to be
taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph
also went up from Galilee, out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judaea, into the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem; because he was of
the house and lineage of David: to be taxed with
Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the
days were accomplished that she should be
delivered.
3. ACCOMPAGNATO
Now my beloved bridegroom
Now the hero from David's lineage
At last will be born,
For the comfort and redemption of the world.
Now the star of Jacob will shine,
Its beams already break forth.
Arise, Zion, and forsake your weeping,
Your comfort has come!
4.ARIA
Make ready, Zion, with tender emotions
Soon to behold the fairest, most beloved one!
Your countenance
Should shine more fairly today,
Make haste with ardour to love the bridegroom!
5. CHORALE
How shall I receive thee.
And how shall I meet thee?
O, all the world's longing,
O, jewel of my soul!
O, Jesus, Jesus, enkindle
Thyself the light unto me,
That I might know and understand
What delights thee!
6. EVANGELISTA
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him
in a manger; because there was no room for
them in the inn.
7. CHORALE AND ACCOMPAGNATO
Poor he came into the world,
That he might take pity on us,
To make us rich in Heaven,
And equal even to his beloved angels.
Kyrie eleison!
Who will surpass the love
That the Saviour has for us?
Yea, who can ever understand
How mankind's affliction moves him?
The Almighty's son comes into the world
For its Salvation well pleases him.
So he himself will be born as man.
8. ARIA
Great Lord and mighty King,
Dearest Saviour, O, how little
Thou prizest the world's splendour!
He that upholds the whole world,
That created it splendour and beauty,
Must slumber in a hard manger.
9. CHORALE
Ah, little Jesus, my darling,
Make yourself a soft clean little bed
To rest in my heart's shrine,
That I might never forget thee!
Second Part
For the second day of Christmas
10. SINFONIA (pastoral music)
11. EVANGELISTA
And there were in the same country shepherds
abiding in the field, keeping watch over their
flock by night. And the angel of the Lord came
upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone
round about them: and they were sore afraid.
12. CHORALE
Arise, O lovely morning light,
And illuminate the heavens!
You shepherds, be not afraid,
For the angel says unto you,
That this weak infant child
Shall be our comfort and our joy,
Shall vanquish Satan
And bring peace at last!
13. RECITATIVO
Evangelista And the angel said unto them:
Angel Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David
a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
14. RECITATIVO
What God promised to Abraham,
He now in the shepherds' choir
Manifests as accomplished.
All this was once made known by God
Unto a shepherd.
And now a shepherd also must
Be the first to know
That what he once promised in now fulfilled.
15. ARIA
Happy shepherds, hasten, oh, hasten,
Lest too long you tarry,
Hasten to behold the fair babe!
Hasten, so great the joy,
Seek to win his grace,
Go, delight your hearts and senses!
16. EVANGELISTA
And this shall be a sigh unto you: Ye shall find
the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in
a manger.
17. CHORALE
Lo, behold, in a dark stable lies
He whose reign covers the universe!
Where once the cattle sought their food,
Now lies the Virgin's holy son.
18. RECITATIVO
Now thither go, you shepherds, go,
That you may behold the wonder:
And if you find the Almighty's son
Lying in a hard manger.
Then sing to him as the cradle rocks
In sweetest tones
And with united voices
This tender song of rest!
19. ARIA
Sleep, my darling, enjoy your rest,
From which for our blessing awaken!
Console your heart
Take your delight
Where we our heart's joy have taken!
20. EVANGELISTA
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude
of the heavenly host praising God, and saying:
21. CHORUS
Glory to God on the highest, and an earth peace,
Good will toward men.
22. RECITATIVO
Yea, you angels, exult and sing,
That this day so greatly we are blest!
Lift up your voices! We too shall sing,
We may rejoice as well as you!
23. CHORALE
In the midst of thy host we sing
With all our might thy glory, praise and honour,
That thou, our long-awaited guest,
Hast now at last arrived.
Third Part
For the third day of Christmas
24. CHORUS
King of Heaven, hearken to the murmur,
Let our faint song please thee,
When thy Zion with psalms exalts thee!
Hear the heart's jubilant praises,
When we now do render honour unto thee,
For our redemption has been established!
25. EVANGELISTA
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone
away from them into heaven, the shepherds said
one to another:
26. CHORUS
Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see
this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord
hath made known unto us.
27. RECITATIVO
He hath comforted his people,
He hath delivered his Israel,
He hath sent help from Zion
And put an end to our affliction.
See, shepherds, this he hath done;
Go, and you shall behold it!
28. CHORALE
All this he hath done to us,
To manifest his great love;
Thus all Christendom rejoices
And thanks him for all eternity.
Kyrie eleison!
29. ARIA DUETTO
Lord, thy compassion, thy mercy
Comfort us and make us free.
Thy blessed favour and love,
Thy wondrous actions
Do renew
Thy paternal love.
30. EVANGELISTA
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and
Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And
when they had seen it, they made known abroad
the saying which was told them concerning this
child. And all they that heard it wondered at
those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered
them in her heart.
31. ARIA
Lock up, my heart, this holy wonder
Close within your trust!
Let this wonder, the divine work,
For ever be a strength
To thy weak faith!
32. RECITATIVO
Yes, yes, my heart shall preserve
What in this glorious time,
To its blessedness
It has known as manifest proof.
33. CHORALE
Diligently will I keep thee.
Here will I
Live for thee,
With thee I will depart.
With thee at last I will soar,
Filled with joy
Without end,
Even unto the new life.
34. EVANGELISTA
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and
praising God for all the things that they had
heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
35. CHORALE
And now be joyful
That your deliverance.
God and also man hath here been born,
He that is
The Lord and Christ,
In the city of David, chosen from among many.
Repeat of the opening Chorus
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