“Bethlehem.” Matt. 2. 1, 5, 6; Luke 2. 4-16
J. Hart C.M.
1
Come, ye redeemèd of the Lord,
Your grateful tribute bring;
And celebrate, with one accord,
The birthday of our King.
2
Let us with humble hearts repair
(Faith will point out the road)
To little Bethlehem, and there
Adore our infant God.
3
[In swaddling bands the Saviour view!
Let none his weakness scorn;
The feeblest heart shall hell subdue,
Where Jesus Christ is born.]
4
No pomp adorns, no sweets perfume
The place where Christ is laid;
A stable serves him for his room,
A manger is his bed.
5
The crowded inn, like sinners’ hearts,
(O ignorance extreme!)
For other guests, of various sorts,
Had room; but none for him.
6
But see what different thoughts arise
In our and angels’ breasts;
To hail his birth they left the skies,
We lodged him with the beasts!
7
Yet let believers cease their fears,
Nor envy heavenly powers;
If sinless innocence be theirs,
Redemption all is ours.
