I sing the birth, was born tonight,

The Author both of life and light;

The angels so did sound it,

And like the ravished shepherds said,

Who saw the light, and were afraid,

Yet searched, and true they found it.

The Son of God, the Eternal King,

That did us all salvation bring,

And freed the soul from danger;

He whom the whole world could not take,

The Word, which heaven and earth did make;

Was laid now in a manger.

The Father’s wisdom willed it so,

The Son’s obedience knew no no,

Both wills were in one stature;

And as that Wisdom had decreed,

The Word was now made Flesh indeed,

What comfort by Him do we win,

Who made Himself the price of sin,

To make us heirs of glory?

To see this babe, all innocence;

A martyr born in our defense;

Can man forget this story?

—Ben Jonson

(1573-1637)