O Come, All Ye Faithful

Christmas Carol Lyrics

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.

God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo! he abhors not the Virgin's womb:
Very God,
Begotten, not created; Refrain

Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God
In the highest; Refrain

See how the shepherds,
Summoned to his cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither
Bend our joyful footsteps; Refrain

Child, for us sinners
Poor and in the manger,
We would embrace thee, with love and awe;
Who would not live thee,
Loving us so dearly? Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing; Refrain

History About This Carol

O Come, All Ye Faithful is a grand and timeless Christmas carol that has been sung for centuries in churches and homes around the world. Its Latin title, Adeste Fideles, hints at its origins, which date back to at least the mid-18th century. The hymn is commonly attributed to English hymnist John Francis Wade, though its true authorship has been debated. Some scholars believe parts of it may be even older, possibly from monastic or French origins.

Originally written in Latin, the carol was later translated into English by Frederick Oakeley in the 1840s. His poetic rendering, “O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant…” gave the hymn its familiar English form and helped it become a central part of Christmas worship in the English-speaking world.

With its powerful, inviting melody and rich harmonies, O Come, All Ye Faithful is often used as a processional hymn in church services, especially on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. It invites worshippers to approach the Nativity with reverence and joy, uniting voices in celebration of Christ’s birth.

A cherished traditional song, this stands as a call to gather, both physically and spiritually, in the heart of the Christmas season. Whether sung by candlelight or with the swell of an organ, it continues to lift hearts and voices in a spirit of faithful joy.

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