Classic Christian Hymns · Public-domain text

Angels from the Realms of Glory

James Montgomery

James Montgomery (1771–1854) was a Scottish-born British editor, poet, and passionate abolitionist who spent his life fighting for the end of slavery and the protection of chimney sweeps. He was twice imprisoned by the British government for his political writings advocating for social justice. On Christmas Eve in 1816, he published a poem titled 'Nativity' in his newspaper, which we know today as 'Angels from the Realms of Glory', calling all of humanity to worship the newly born King of Peace.

Source: The Sheffield Iris

Angels from the realms of glory
Wing your flight o'er all the earth
Ye who sang creation's story
Now proclaim Messiah's birth
Come and worship
Come and worship
Worship Christ, the newborn King
Shepherds, in the field abiding
Watching o'er your flocks by night
God with man is now residing
Yonder shines the infant light
Sages, leave your contemplations
Brighter visions beam afar
Seek the great Desire of nations
Ye have seen his natal star
Saints, before the altar bending
Watching long in hope and fear
Suddenly the Lord, descending
In his temple shall appear
Sinners, wrung with true repentance
Doomed for guilt to endless pains
Justice now revokes the sentence
Mercy calls you; break your chains
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)And Can It BeAngels We Have Heard on HighAre You Washed in the Blood?As birds their infant brood protectAs once for Jonah, so the Lord