In December 1745, while playing with his daughter Dolly, John Byrom promised he would write something for her for Christmas.  Dolly reminded her Daddy every day until Christmas, and on that morning, she found an envelope from her father.  Now known as “Christians, Awake, Salute the Happy Morn,” the original title which her father gave it was “Christmas Day for Dolly.”

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born.
Rise to adore the mystery of love
Which hosts of angels chanted from above,
With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God incarnate and the virgin’s Son.

Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard th’angelic herald’s voice, ‘Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour’s birth
To you and all the nations of the earth;
This day hath God fulfilled His promised Word;
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.’

He spoke; and straightway the celestial choir
In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire;
The praises of redeeming love they sang,
And the whole sky with hallelujahs rang.
God’s highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace on the earth and unto men good will.

To Bethl’hem straight the enlightened shepherds ran
To see the wonder God had wrought for man;
And found, with Joseph and the blessèd maid,
Her Son and Saviour, in a manger laid;
Amazed, the wondrous tidings they proclaim,
First human heralds of their Saviour’s fame.

Like Mary let us ponder in our mind
God’s wondrous love in saving lost mankind!
Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss,
From His poor manger to His bitter cross,
Tread in His steps, assisted by His grace,
Till man’s first heav’nly state again takes place.

Then may we hope, the angelic hosts among,
To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song.
He that was born upon this joyful day
Around us all His glory shall display.
Saved by His love, incessantly we sing
Eternal praise to Heav’n’s almighty King.

Do you think that is a somewhat better gift than spending an absurd amount of money on an iPhone (or whatever the hot presents are this year)?