EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this translation).
1. CHRISTIAN FRIENDS COME-ON CELEBRATE.
HEART, SOUL, VOICE TOGETHER.
PAY-ATTENTION WHAT WE SAY:
JESUS CHRIST BORN TODAY.
(<) COW, (>) DONKEY, HEAD (2h)HEAD-BOW-TO-lf
BUT SWEET JESUS SLEEP, SLEEP.
CHRIST FINISH BORN TODAY,
CHRIST FINISH BORN TODAY.
2. CHRISTIAN FRIENDS COME-ON CELEBRATE.
HEART, SOUL, VOICE TOGETHER.
FOREVER HAPPY CAN.
JESUS CHRIST BORN FOR THAT.
NOW HEAVEN, GOD OPEN-GATES.
BLESS (2h)YOU FROM-NOW-ON FOREVER.
CHRIST BORN FOR THAT,
CHRIST BORN FOR THAT.
3. CHRISTIAN FRIENDS COME-ON CELEBRATE.
HEART, SOUL, VOICE TOGETHER.
NOW GRAVE, NOT NEED FEAR:
JESUS CHRIST SAVE US WILL.
(<) SUMMON EACH, (>) SUMMON (2h)#ALL,
MAKE HEAVEN OUR HOME FOREVER.
CHRIST SAVE US WILL,
CHRIST SAVE US WILL.
4. CHRISTIAN FRIENDS COME-ON CELEBRATE.
HEART, SOUL, VOICE TOGETHER.
PAY-ATTENTION WHAT WE SAY:
JESUS CHRIST BORN TODAY.
(<) COW, (>) DONKEY, HEAD (2h)HEAD-BOW-TO-lf
BUT SWEET JESUS SLEEP, SLEEP.
CHRIST FINISH BORN TODAY,
CHRIST FINISH BORN TODAY.
Notes: FRIENDS - Interlocked (2h)[X] move in a horizontal circle.
COME-ON - (2h)[B^] move in circles pivoting at the wrists to beckon someone to do something.
SOUL - NDH [C] or [S] is held close to body and [F] which inserts FT into NDH then slowly draws it upwards with a wavy path. For an animated gif of this sign, see Animated dictionary of religious signs - Deaf Missions: Spirit.
(2h)HEAD-BOW-TO-lf - Like CAN but hands are held high and signer's head also bows.
BLESS - (2h)[O^], POs ><, held at mouth. Hands are brought downwards while opening to (2h)[5]. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Bless.
(2h)YOU - Underlined words are honorific indices ("indexes"), using the FT of the upturned palm to indicate who is being honored.
FROM-NOW-ON - (2h)[B^], POs ><, FOs away, DHFT touches knuckle side of NDHFT and moves away in a downward arc. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - from now on.
GRAVE - (2h)[5], POs down, FOs away, hands move > signer with in an upward arc.
FEAR - (2h)[5], POs away, FOs up, hands are held far from body and move back to body in a wavy pattern.
SUMMON - DH [B] taps NDH [B], PO down, FO > signer, then moves > signer while closing to an [A], PO away from signer, FO up, and moving up.
(2h)#ALL - (2h)[A], POs ><, FOs up, are held at shoulder height and move away while opening to (2h)[L].
Lyrics:
1. Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now give heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
ox and ass before him bow,
asleep within the manger now.
Christ is born today,
Christ is born today.
2. Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now you know of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
God has opened heaven's door,
and you are blessed forevermore.
Christ was born for this,
Christ was born for this.
3. Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now you need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain the everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save,
Christ was born to save.
4. Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now give heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
ox and ass before him bow,
asleep within the manger now.
Christ is born today,
Christ is born today.
To hear the music (without words), go to Good Christian friends, rejoice and click on "Music-control panel".