Et
Aar, hvor hurtig svandt det hen
med alt hvad det os bragte.
Vi Juleaften vil igen
med glaede ret betragte;
og takke Gud for dette aar,
for triange, som for blide kaar
Han naadig os tildelte.
Til faelles glaede vil vi da -
alt efter gamle skikke,
som vi tog med der hjemme fra -
et juletrae udsmykke.
Til fryd for alle smaa vi har,
til minde om, da selv vi var
i uskylds barnedage.
Saa se nu hen til traeet hist,
hvor det dog fryder Øjet.
Ja hver en lille enkelt kvist,
saa smiler den fornØjet;
fordi at den maa bringe ind
i hvert et lydigt barnesind
uskyldig juleglaede
Se stjernen hist i toppen der,
i lys blandt englevinger,
den minder os saa ret isaer
om budskab, som den bringer,
om stjernen som i julenat
sig over huset havde sat,
hvor barnet laa i krybben.
Se nu paa de smaa engle, som
saa kunstigt og fornØjet,
de svaeve jo i rask svingom
og fryder barneØjet.
Og se de mange danske flag,
de minder os jo om den dag
da vi forlod vort Danmark
Vi til det fjerne vesten drog,
og fik et ejem i eje.
Ved siden af vort Dannebrog
skal Stjerneban'ret vaje.
Vi planted' dem i traeets top,
og se saa glade til dem op
med tak i hjertets indre.
Men se nu paa de mange smaa,
hvor lykkelig de ere,
hvor Juletraeets glans dem naa
og lyset paa de kaere.
Se, traeet bugner sig saa flot
af aebler og det sukkergodt,
som de nu har i vente.
Ja, lad os nu paa bØrnevis
as glaede med de unge,
og ret med barnlig lov og pris
vor julesalme sjunge.
Oh! maatte det dog blive sandt,
at kun i Ham vor trØst
vi fandt,
der fØdtes
os til Frelser.
Ja, maatte der nu aar for aar,
hver gang vi Julen fejrer
i trange som i blide kaar
sig glaede om os lejre!
Den glaede som jo os blev bragt
ved Ordet om Guds Naadepagt,
Nu er der Fred paa Jorden.
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A year, how fast it went
with all that it gave us.
We will again really look at
the Christmas Celebration
and thank the Lord for this year
for good and for bad conditions
which He graciously gave us.
In common joy we now will -
according to old customs
which we brought with us from home -
decorate a Christmas tree
to enjoy all the children;
in memory of when we ourselves
were in our innocent childhood
Now look at the tree,
what a delight to the eye.
Yes every single little twig
is smiling so delightful,
because it is allowed to bring
into every dutiful child's mind
innocent joy for Christmas.
Look at the star at the top of the tree
in light among angles' wings
it is really reminding us
about the message it is bringing
about the star which at Christmas Night
had settled over the house
in which the child was laying in the manger,
Look now at the little angels
who so skillful and delightful
are moving in a fast dance
rejoicing the children's eyes.
And look at the many Danish flags
they remind us about the day
when we left our Denmark
We went to the far away West
and made our home there.
Next to our Dannebrog
The Starspangled Banner shall wave.
We planted them at the top of the tree,
and are looking so happily up to them
with thanks from the intermost of our hearts.
But look now at all the children,
how happy they are,
how the splendour from the Christmas tree
is reaching and shining on the dear children.
Look the tree is abound with
apples and the candy
which they are waiting for.
Yes, let us now like the children
be happy with them
and really with childlike praise
sing our Chirstmas hymn.
O, may it be true
that we only may find comfort
in Him who was born to be our Savior.
Yes, may we now year after year
every time we celebrate Christmas
in good or poor conditions
be joyful and happy.
That joy which was given us
by the Word about God's Grace,
Now there is Peace on Earth.
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