While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.   KJV 2:8

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around,
And glory shone around.


“Fear not!” said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind.
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind
To you and all mankind.


“To you, in David’s town, this day
Is born of David’s line
A Savior, who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign,
And this shall be the sign.


“The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid,
And in a manger laid.”


Thus spake the seraph and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God on high,
Who thus addressed their song,
Who thus addressed their song:


“All glory be to God on high,
And to the Earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease,
Begin and never cease!”
HYMN HISTORY:
Nahum Tate was born in Dublin in 1652, the son of an Irish clergyman. He was educated at Trinity College
and in 1690 was proclaimed to be the Poet Laureate of England for the Court of William and Mary during their
reign from 1689-1702. His intemperate living (as a drunkard and a spendthrift) eventually led to his downfall,
and he died in 1715 at a debtor’s refuge in Southwark, London. Nicholas Brady, another Irishman and Tate’s
personal friend, was educated at both Oxford and Trinity Colleges and later served the Anglican Church at
Cork, England.

“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” ranks as one of our most popular Christmas carols and is found in
nearly every Protestant hymnal. Its purely narrative account about the shepherds is on a level that even
children can visualize and understand easily. The music for this carol has been adapted from a work by
master composer George Frederick Handel.

Handel was born in Halle, Germany, on February 23, 1685. After 1713 he made his home in England and
became a naturalized English citizen in 1727. He is best known for his oratorio, The Messiah, composed in
1714 and completed in just twenty-four days. Though Handel wrote several tunes for specific hymn texts, his
best-known hymn tunes, like this one, have been arranged from his major works.

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he
come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:2
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call
his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which
being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23
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 this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 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, unto 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. 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. And there
were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the
angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore
afraid. And the angel said unto them, 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. And this
[shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:1-14