Poems (Hoffman)/Bethlehem

by Martha Lavinia Hoffman

BETHLEHEM

(A Christmas Song.)

Bethlehem, fair Bethlehem!
Judea's glittering lustrous gem!
Of thee, unending songs shall sing,
Thou birth-place of the Saviour, King.
 O Bethlehem, fair Bethlehem!
 Resplendent stars thy heavens gem;
 Stars that with holy radiance shine
 And angel songs are ever thine.

O Bethlehem, bright Bethlehem!
No mist of time, thy light can dim.
Thine every terraced, vine-wreathed hill
Is lit with heavenly splendor still.
 O Bethlehem, bright Bethlehem!
 Thou loveliest in earth's diadem,
 An angel choir above thee sings
 Thou birthplace of the King of Kings!

O Bethlehem, glad Bethlehem!
We see thee as thou wast to them
Who bore their costly gifts, afar,
Beneath thy guiding eastern star.
 O Bethlehem, glad Bethlehem!
 We fain would sing of thee, with them
 Whose heaven-born songs majestic rolled,
 As heaven swung back her gates of gold.

O Bethlehem, blest Bethlehem!
Judea's glittering, lustrous gem!
Angelic songs seem still to fall
In hallowed music over all.
 O Bethlehem, blest Bethlehem!
 When, in the New Jerusalem,
 We greet again our Saviour, King;
 Our thoughts will turn to thee and sing.