In their CD " An Acapella Christmas", Glad closes with a beautiful melody and wonderful story.  The only problem is, they only sing one of the three verses.  The original, written in the 17th century by Johann Rist, included three verses, which are below.  The original melody was also written in 1641 by Johann Schop, and harmonized in 1734 by Johann Bach, according to cyberhymnal.org.

Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light
Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light,
And usher in the morning.
O shepherds, shudder not with fright
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.

He comes a Child,  from realms on high,
He comes the heav'ns adoring;
He comes to earth to live and die,
A broken race restoring.
Although the King of kings is He,
He comes in deep humility;
His people to deliver,
And reign in us forever.

Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light
To herald our salvation.
He stoops to earth the God of might
Our hope and expectation.
He comes in human flesh to dwell,
Our God with us, Immanuel.
The night of darkness ending
Our fallen race befriending.

One of the best parts of Christmas carols and hymns is that they don't just celebrate the fact of Christ's birth.  Most also celebrate the fact of His purpose, the reason He was born and what we can expect.  For instance, in the text above, each verse ends with such a statement.  Another of my favorite carols, "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing", closes with the verse:

"Come, Desire of nations, come!
Fix in us Thy humble home.
Rise, the woman's conqu'ring seed,
Bruise in us the serpent's head;
Adam's likeness now efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place;
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King." "

As you sing carols this year (or as you wind down from the hectic schedule) reflect on the words you are singing or have sung, and look forward to what they promise.  It will make for a very happy new year to those who have placed their faith in the birth, life, death and resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas, all!