BETHLEHEM
drop-capThereman was all too marred with sin,The ass, the ox were bidden in.Where angels were unmeet to comeThese humble entered Holydom.Their innocent eyes and full of aweSaw the fulfilment of the law.There in the stable with the beastThe Christmas Child hath spread His feast.These gave their bed and eke their boardTo be a cradle for their Lord.Their honey-breath, their tears all mild,Warmed in the cold the new-born Child.These His adorers were beforeThe Kings and Shepherds thronged the door.And where no angels knelt there kneeledThe innocent creatures of the field.O simple ones, much honourèd;He who oppresses you indeedOppresses His kind hosts that layOnce in the stable on the hay.
drop-capThereman was all too marred with sin,The ass, the ox were bidden in.Where angels were unmeet to comeThese humble entered Holydom.Their innocent eyes and full of aweSaw the fulfilment of the law.There in the stable with the beastThe Christmas Child hath spread His feast.These gave their bed and eke their boardTo be a cradle for their Lord.Their honey-breath, their tears all mild,Warmed in the cold the new-born Child.These His adorers were beforeThe Kings and Shepherds thronged the door.And where no angels knelt there kneeledThe innocent creatures of the field.O simple ones, much honourèd;He who oppresses you indeedOppresses His kind hosts that layOnce in the stable on the hay.
drop-capThereman was all too marred with sin,The ass, the ox were bidden in.
drop-cap
Thereman was all too marred with sin,
The ass, the ox were bidden in.
Where angels were unmeet to comeThese humble entered Holydom.
Where angels were unmeet to come
These humble entered Holydom.
Their innocent eyes and full of aweSaw the fulfilment of the law.
Their innocent eyes and full of awe
Saw the fulfilment of the law.
There in the stable with the beastThe Christmas Child hath spread His feast.
There in the stable with the beast
The Christmas Child hath spread His feast.
These gave their bed and eke their boardTo be a cradle for their Lord.
These gave their bed and eke their board
To be a cradle for their Lord.
Their honey-breath, their tears all mild,Warmed in the cold the new-born Child.
Their honey-breath, their tears all mild,
Warmed in the cold the new-born Child.
These His adorers were beforeThe Kings and Shepherds thronged the door.
These His adorers were before
The Kings and Shepherds thronged the door.
And where no angels knelt there kneeledThe innocent creatures of the field.
And where no angels knelt there kneeled
The innocent creatures of the field.
O simple ones, much honourèd;He who oppresses you indeed
O simple ones, much honourèd;
He who oppresses you indeed
Oppresses His kind hosts that layOnce in the stable on the hay.
Oppresses His kind hosts that lay
Once in the stable on the hay.
Katharine Tynan