This Medieval Latin carol was translated by John Mason Neale who was a very famous Anglican hymnologist. He was a student of hymns – he also wrote a few hymns, a few that we still sing today. But more than writing hymns, he collected hymns. He studied hymns from other cultures and languages. He translated them from their original languages into English and set them to tunes and produced various books of hymns. This particular hymn is known in both Latin and German and it first appeared in his hymnbook Carols for Christmastide in London, England, in 1853.1
Good Christian friends, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ was born today.
Ox and ass before him bow,
And he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
Good Christian friends, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven’s door,
And we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
Good Christian friends, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
Hymn of the Day 