Scripture Verse

We have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him. Matthew 2:2

Introduction

portrait
Jairus M. Stillman (1834–1917)

Words: Mar­tha P. Smith, in Good Will (En­larged), ed­it­ed by T. Mar­tin Towne & Jai­rus M. Still­man (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: So­lo­mon W. Straub, 1882), num­ber 6.

Music: Mau­na Loa Jai­rus M. Still­man (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Smith (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Beautiful star of Beth­le­hem, shine
Over the hills of Pal­es­tine;
There the child Je­sus slum­ber­eth sweet,
And we would bow at His ho­ly feet.

Refrain

Beautiful star of Beth­le­hem, shine
Over the hills of Pal­es­tine;
Beautiful star of Beth­le­hem, shine
Over the hills of Pal­es­tine.

Beautiful star of Beth­le­hem, shine,
Shedding thy beau­te­ous rays di­vine;
Light the dark plac­es held in sin’s thrall,
Bringing thy peace and good-will to all.

Refrain

Beautiful star of Beth­le­hem, shine
Into the hearts that faint and pine;
Show the child Je­sus, hum­ble, but king,
Born to com­pas­sion and com­fort bring.

Refrain

Beautiful star of Beth­le­hem, shine
Over this earth­ly home of mine,
How the child Je­sus dwell­ing with me,
Keepeth me pure and from sin­ning free.

Refrain

illustration
The Star of Bethlehem
Gustave Doré (1832–1883)