Bethlehem Ephrathah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:2
Words: Minnie A. Greiner-Edington, in Uplifted Voices (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Geibel & Lehman, 1901), number 178.
Music: Lake District Adam Geibel (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Greiner-Edington (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), would you ?
Whene’er I hear the Christmas bells
Chime out across the snow,
My thoughts go back to Bethlehem,
Two thousand years ago.
I watch with humble shepherds there
At midnight calm and still,
While snowy flocks sleep peacefully
Upon the dew kissed hill.
Refrain
O Christmas bells, ring out, ring out,
Your merry chimes today,
And bear us back to Bethlehem,
Where Christ the Savior lay.
Whene’er I hear the Christmas bells
Ring out so joyously,
The wondrous light which streamed from Heav’n
That night I seem to see.
I catch a glimpse of angels fair,
I hear the news they bring.
That in a lonely manger lies
The world’s expected King.
Refrain
Whene’er I hear the Christmas bells
Ring out so sweet and clear,
The song the bright winged angels sang
Methinks I still can hear:
All glory in the highest be
Unto our God for aye;
Good will to men and peace on earth,
Upon this happy day.
Refrain