Winter fires were burning bright,
Travelers journeyed in the night.
A husband led his weary wife
Through the falling snow
To a humble cattle stall,
Nowhere else to go.
Christmas in Bethlehem,
Many years ago.

There was born a baby boy,
Mother’s heart was filled with joy,
Shepherds heard the angel voices
Fill the night with song,
Wise men wondered at a star,
With strange celestial glow.
Christmas in Bethlehem,
Many years ago.

And in Bethlehem today
Children fear, yet still they play
While mothers cry and fathers pray
For peace to come again.
And around the weary world
Echoes the refrain:
“Christmas in Bethlehem,
When shall true love reign?”

One day soon the Prince of Love
Will return from skies above
And His power shall overcome
All pain and tears and war.
Then shall songs of joy and praise
Ring out from shore to shore:
“Christmas in Bethlehem,
Peace on earth once more.”

Michael Dooley is a member of the Family International in the Middle East.

The song “Christmas in Bethlehem” is available for listening and free downloading at nubeat.org Or order the CD Rhythm of Christmas