Bethlehem Ephratah, 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: George B. Nevin, 1898.
Music: Bamako George B. Nevin, 1898 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Nevin (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
When Christ was born in Bethlehem,
Was born of mother mild,
The wise men came with incense rare
Unto the holy Child:
The bells of Heav’n rang out with joy,
The shepherds joined the strain—
And all the earth sang loud and clear
Of peace on earth to men.
The Christ had brought this blessèd peace
To hearts with sin oppressed,
And now, as then, the weary soul
May find in Him its rest.
O let us all rejoice and sing,
And shout the joyful strain
That Christ, the blessèd Son of God
O’er Heav’n and earth doth reign.
All hail the Christ, the mighty King!
The reascended Lord!
Whom angels praise with joyful songs,
By hosts redeemed, adored,
And as of old, the angels sang,
Now let our voices raise—
A song of joy, of peace, of hope,
Of everlasting praise.