Walking to Bethlehem

Today it was very cold. The sky was gray, gun-metal gray.

Did we really want to leave the warmth of home and venture out.

Did we really want to Walk to Bethlehem?

The answer was a simple yes. And so our journey began.

A simple country woman handed us a few shekels to do with as we please.

With a song in our hearts and a hymn on our lips, may we all Walk to Bethlehem.

In Bethlehem, in Israel, this blessed Babe was born,

And laid within a manger upon this blessed morn.

From God our Heavenly Father, a blessed angel came;

And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same;

how that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name.

Loving shepherd of Thy sheep, keep Thy lamb, in safety keep;

Nothing can Thy power withstand, none can pluck me from Thy hand.

They looked up and saw a star,

Shining in the East beyond them far;

And to the earth it gave great light,

And so it continued day and night.

This star drew night to the northwest;

o'er Bethlehem it took its rest,

And there it did both stop and stay,

Right o'er the place where Jesus lay.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

close by me forever and love me I pray.

bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,

And take us to heaven to live with Thee there.

O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie;

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,

The silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light;

The hopes and fear of all the years

Are met in thee tonight.

Look at the world, everything all around us;

Look at the world, and marvel every day.

Look at the world; so many joys and wonders,

So many miracles along our way

Look at the earth bringing forth fruit and flower;

Look at the sky, the sunshine and the rain;

Look at the hills, look at the trees and mountains,

Valley and flowing river, field and plain.

Think of the spring, think of the warmth of summer

Bringing the harvest before the winter's cold.

Everything grows, everything has a season,

till it is gathered to the Father's fold.

Every good gift, all that we need and cherish

comes from the Lord in token of His love;

We are His hands, stewards of all His bounty His is the earth,

and His the heavens above. Praise to thee, O Lord, for all creation,

Give us thankful hearts, that we may see;

All the gifts we share, and every blessing,

All things come of Thee.

The Cattle are lowing, the poor Baby wakes,

But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,

And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;

and all for Thy mercy's sake.

O divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face to shine upon you

and be gracious unto you;

the Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you

and give you peace.

Amen