Originally written in Latin as Adeste Fideles, this CHRISTmas carol has been attributed to various authors, including John Francis Wade (with the earliest copies of the hymn all bearing his signature), John Reading, and King John IV of Portugal. The original four verses of the hymn were extended to a total of eight, and these have been translated into many languages. Generally, we sing stanzas 1, 3, and 4: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” by the English Catholic priest Frederick Oakeley.

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels:
O come, let us adore Him, (3×)
Christ the Lord.

God of God, light of light,
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Very God, begotten, not created:
O come, let us adore Him, (3×)
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!
Glory to God, glory in the highest:
O come, let us adore Him, (3×)
Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
O come, let us adore Him, (3×)
Christ the Lord.