Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light

Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light,
And usher in the morning;
O shepherds, shrink not with afright,
But hear the angel’s warning.
This Child, now weak in infancy,
Our confidence and joy shall be,
The power of Satan breaking,
Our peace eternal making.

Author: Johann von Rist

Year: 1641

Original German text "Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist" written by Johann von Rist (also known as Johann Rist) in 1641; the English version is a translation by John Troutbeck (1885) that is commonly paired with J.S. Bach's harmonization.