Love Came Down at Christmas

This is a Christmas hymn, focused on Jesus as love.

The words were written by English poet Christina Rosseti (1830-1894), and first published in 1885.

With meter 67 67, tunes it has been set to include:

GARTAN (traditional Irish) - perhaps the most commonly used tune for the text now
HERMITAGE
WHITNEY
LOVE by John Sebastian Matthews
An unnamed tune by Patricia Smith, which can be sung simultaneously with Away in a Manger - more info.

Today, the last verse is often presented as "Love to God and all people", rather than "all men".

Downloads

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PowerPoint slides
with background image

PowerPoint
slides

Lead sheet
(melody + guitar chords)

Downloadable arrangement for piano + voice with chords, as performed by Jars of Clay, 8 pages

The image used in the PowerPoint slides with background is © copyright James Yardley and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Examples

Contemporary duet - guitars and band instruments, music video style

Choir with piano - professional recording

Song leader and congregation with piano

Singer with organ

Contemporary band, professional recording

Lyrics

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine,
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine,
Worship we our Jesus,
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men(*),
Love for plea and gift and sign.

(*) Often "all people" is sung here.