Bethlehem

Oh Bethlehem, sweet Bethlehem
How precious is thy name,
Whose sheltered first the king of kings
And spread abroad His fame.

That lonely night, that peaceful night
When all was still and bright,
God gave to Earth His only Son
The Son of peace and light.

He had no house to call a home
No ruffled baby bed
But was placed there in a manger
Where beasts were often fed.

Not in a stately mansion
Or a cottage by the sea
But in a lonely stable
Alone by his mother's knee.

No visitors of royal blood
Brought costly gifts or gems
But just the humble shepherds
Gave their love and praise to Him.