A Unique Christmas Carol

I couldn't find any trace of this on the internet; I suspect that the only place it exists in print is in a hymn book I have. This book was actually published as a Sunday School hymn book, but we used it as a hymnal in our church when I was a kid. Copyright date is 1928, so I'd say that's pretty safe. The only reference I could find on the internet of the song writer was of an endowment to Seattle Pacific University. If any one is interested in the music, I could copy and post that also.

In the Manger of Bethlehem

One night long ago over Bethlehem’s plian
The stars shone with radiant light;
The shepherds were watching their flocks where they lay,
When suddenly burst on their sight
A vision of angels, who sang a sweet song
Of peace and good-will unto men:
“A Saviour is born,” cried the heavenly throng,
“In a manger in Bethlehem.”

Chorus:
Seeking, they sought till they found Him,
Jesus, the Saviour of men;
Humbly they knelt and adored Him,
In the manger of Bethlehem.

Three wise men beheld a most wonderful star,
Announcing the birth of a King;
It showed them the way from their countries afar,
Their presence and homage to bring;
In great kingly palace they sought Him, but then
The star’s light was hidden from them;
They found Him, at last, in the sweet virgin’s care,
In a manger in Bethlehem.

(Chorus)

So still we must seek Him with longing untold,
With purpose unchanging and true;
We cannot bring off’rings of incense and gold,
His infant face we cannot view;
But we may His glorious gospel adorn,
Give glory unto His great name;
To all we may tell of the Christ who was born
In a manger in Bethlehem.

(Chorus)


My sister Lil and I sang this in a school Christmas program once, and the teacher asked us where we found it.