O Come, Little Children

Christmas Carol Lyrics

O come, little children, O come, one and all.
To Bethlehem haste, to the manger so small.
God’s Son for a gift has been sent you this day.
To be your redeemer, your joy and delight.

The hay is His pillow, the manger His bed,
The beasts stand in wonder to gaze on His head,
Yet there where He lieth, so weak and so poor,
Come shepherds and wise men to kneel at His door.

He’s born in a stable for you and for me,
Draw near by the bright gleaming starlight to see,
In swaddling clothes lying so meek and so mild,
And purer than angels the heavenly child.

See Mary and Joseph with love beaming eyes,
Are gazing upon the rude bed where He lies,
The shepherds are kneeling, with hearts full of love,
While angels sing loud hallelujahs above.

Kneel down and adore Him with shepherds today,
Lift up little hands now and praise Him as they;
Rejoice that a Savior from sin you can boast,
And join in the song of the heavenly host.

Now "Glory to God!" sing the angels on high.
And "Peace upon Earth!" heavenly voices reply.
Then come little children, and join in the day,
That gladdened the world on that first Christmas Day.

ALTERNATE VERSION

There are actually several alternate collections of lyrics relating to this carol.
In one version, which I discovered in a copy of Christmas Favorites Arranged for Piano
by James Bastion (1979), the opening verse reads:

O come, little children, O come one and all!
To Bethlehem come, to the manger so small!
With stars watching o'er in a manger of hay,
God's Son has been sent on this glorious day!

About This Christmas Carol

O Come, Little Children is a tender and welcoming Christmas carol that invites young hearts to gather around the manger with joy and wonder. The lyrics were written in the early 19th century by Christoph von Schmid, a German Catholic priest and educator known for writing stories and hymns that spoke directly to children. His words carry a sense of innocence and warmth, encouraging little ones to approach the Christ child with gladness.

The melody most commonly associated with the carol was composed by Johann Abraham Peter Schulz, a respected German composer whose work influenced both sacred and secular music of his time. Schulz's tune is simple, lilting, and easy for children to learn, which helped the carol spread widely through schools, churches, and family celebrations across Germany and later into English speaking countries.

The carol's charm lies in its gentle encouragement. Rather than focusing on grand theological themes, it highlights the joy of Christmas in a way children can easily understand. Many translations exist, but the spirit remains the same. The song paints a picture of children stepping softly into the stable, gazing on the newborn Jesus with love and curiosity.

Today, O Come, Little Children remains a favorite for children's choirs and Christmas pageants. Its peaceful melody and welcoming message bring a sense of sweetness to holiday gatherings, reminding listeners of the quiet, heartfelt joy at the center of the Christmas story.

Rousing Performance Video from The Piano Guys

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