Scripture Verse

Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you 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

Introduction

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Mary B. Eddy (1821–1910)

Words: Mary B. Ed­dy, 1903.

Music: Se­re­ni­ty adapt­ed by Uzz­iah C. Bur­nap, 1856, from Waft, Ye Winds, by Will­iam V. Wall­ace, 1836 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

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William V. Wallace (1812–1865)

Lyrics

Blest Christ­mas morn, though mur­ky clouds
Pursue thy way,
Thy light was born where storm en­shrouds
Nor dawn nor day.

Dear Christ, for­ev­er here and near,
No cra­dle song
No na­tal hour and mo­ther’s tear
To Thee be­long.

Thou God-idea, Life en­crowned,
The Beth­le­hem Babe—
Beloved, re­plete, by flesh em­bound—
Was but Thy shade!

Thou gen­tle beam of liv­ing Love,
And death­less Life!
Truth in­fi­nite—so far above
All mor­tal strife,

Or cru­el creed, or earth-born taint:
Fill us to­day
With all Thou art—be Thou our saint,
Our stay, al­way.