When Christ Was Born in Bethlehem (Taylor)

When Christ was born in Beth­le­hem

’Twas night

but seemed the noon of day;

The star whose light was pure and bright

Was pure and bright

Shone with un­wa­ver­ing rays;

But one bright star

one glo­ri­ous star

Guided the east­ern ma­gi from afar.

Then peace was spread through­out the land

The li­on fed be­side the lamb;

And with the kid

to pas­tures led

To pas­tures led

the spot­ted leo­pard fed;

In peace

in peace

the calf

the bear

And wolf and lamb re­posed to­ge­ther there.

As shep­herds watched their flocks by night

An an­gel bright­er than the sun

Appeared in air

and gent­ly said

And gen­tly said

Fear not

be not afraid.

Behold

be­hold

be­neath your eyes

Earth has be­come a smil­ing para­dise.