Child of Bethlehem
O, child of David — asleep in your bed;
Your blanket and pillow that cradles your head. Did you hear the sound of a baby tonight? The cry of a newborn — however so slight? You'd find no one's house — if you followed the sound — Instead, an old stable is where he'd be found. The cattle are nervous, the mules stomp and bray — A baby is lying in their crib of hay. Tomorrow, dear child, see what you can do: They may be in need of a blanket or two. But tonight, child of Bethlehem, sleep. O, child of David — how soundly you sleep; Your breathing is rhythmic — your sleeping is deep. Did you hear a choir of angels tonight? Could you feel their thunder? Did you see their light? Appearing to shepherds with tidings of joy: The Savior has come in the form of a boy. Then looking in town as the angels had said, Those shepherds found Jesus in his manger bed. Tomorrow, dear child, as the angels revealed, Discover why shepherds abandoned their field. But tonight, child of Bethlehem, sleep. O, child of David — your eyes are still closed; Whatever you're dreaming of — only God knows. Did you see those elegant strangers tonight? Their crowns and their robes and their jewels — what a sight! Did you see their camels? Did you hear the sound They made when their masters forced them to kneel down? They stopped at that carpenter's house down the street, Gave presents to Jesus and knelt at his feet. Tomorrow, dear child, what gift might you bring To place at the feet of this heaven-sent king? But tonight, child of Bethlehem, sleep. O, child of David — the sun will soon rise; The day will be here when you open your eyes. Did you see two shadows pass by here tonight? The threat of King Herod has put them to flight. The carpenter, warned by an angel to run, Has secretly left with his wife and their son. From Abraham's blood and from King David's line, Their son is the Son of Almighty, Divine. Tomorrow, dear child, the sun will yet burn, But gone is the Son — yet will one day return. So tonight, child of Bethlehem, sleep. |
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