First to Hear

Out beyond the crowded houses Where the sheep lay in the dark There were people keeping watch Who hadn't planned to travel far Then the night was full of glory And the fields were full of song Good news had found the shepherds And it carried them along

Not a palace, not a throne They were going to a child

First to hear, first to hurry Through the dark to Bethlehem There is Jesus in the manger There is room to welcome them Glory rising in the night Hope is breathing, small and near Merry Christmas, Christ is with us And the shepherds got to hear First to hear Such good news to hear

They found Mary with her baby Joseph close beside the hay Nothing grand to tell a stranger That the world had changed that day But the promise had a heartbeat And a mother held him near God had come among his people Small enough to gather here

They had hurried through the darkness Now they had a song to bring

First to hear, first to hurry Through the dark to Bethlehem There is Jesus in the manger There is room to welcome them Glory rising in the night Hope is breathing, small and near Merry Christmas, Christ is with us And the shepherds got to hear First to hear Such good news to hear

As we gather round this Christmas Let us leave an extra chair For the neighbour coming over For the friend we're glad is here Let our children hear the story Let our welcome show it too Love arrived without a palace There is room for me and you

First to hear, first to hurry Through the dark to Bethlehem There is Jesus in the manger Let us sing the news again Glory rising in the night Hope is breathing, small and near Merry Christmas, Christ is with us Good news for all to hear

Merry Christmas, Christ is with us Good news for all to hear