When Christ was born in Bethlehem,
Fair peace on earth to bring,
In lowly state of love He came
To be the children’s king.

And round Him, then, a holy band
Of children blest was born,
Fair guardians of His throne to stand
Attendant night and morn.

And unto them this grace was giv’n
A Sav­ior’s name to own,
And die for Him who out of Heav’n
Had found on earth a throne.

O blessèd babes of Bethlehem,
Who died to save our king,
Ye share the martyrs’ diadem,
And in their anthem sing!

Your lips, on earth that ne­ver spake,
Now sound th’eter­nal word;
And in the courts of love ye make
Your children’s voices heard.

Lord Je­sus Christ, eter­nal child,
Make Thou our childhood Thine;
That we with Thee the meek and mild
May share the love divine.