Luke 2:15: "When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.'"
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The text is public domain:
O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him
Born the king of angels:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Highest, most holy,
Light of Light eternal,
Born of a virgin, a mortal He comes;
Son of the Father
Now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
In the highest:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory giv'n!
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
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Since there's only one Biblical text cited, it's obvious that Luke 2:15 is the basis of this hymn. There are a few uncited references, however.
"Glory to God / In the highest" at the end of the third verse comes from Luke 2:14, where the angels say, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!' The end of the fourth verse ("Word of the Father / Now in flesh appearing") comes from John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
"Glory to God / In the highest" at the end of the third verse comes from Luke 2:14, where the angels say, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!' The end of the fourth verse ("Word of the Father / Now in flesh appearing") comes from John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
