Montgomery was born in Irvine, Ayrshire in Scotland. He was brought up and trained in the Moravian church. After several efforts to establish a career for himself, Montgomery settled in Sheffield (England), as an assistant to Joseph Gales an auctioneer, bookseller and printer. Montgomery wrote many poems and hymns, which are still sung today.
1.
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
Refrain
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
2.
Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:
Refrain
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
3.
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.
Refrain
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
4.
Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Refrain
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
5.
Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence,
Mercy calls you; break your chains.
Refrain
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
6.
Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:
Refrain
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
*******