king might miss the guiding star

a king might miss the guiding star,
a wise man’s foot might stumble;
for bethlehem is very far
from all except the humble.
’tis christmas day! ’tis christmas day!
and christian hearts are humble.

some pilgrims seek a hallowed shrine;
some soldiers march to danger;
some travelers seek an inn—its sign
“the baby in a manger.”
when christ was born on christmas morn,
they laid him in a manger.

there is no palace in that place,
nor any seat of learning,
no hilltop vision of god’s face,
no altar candles burning:
o come and see our christmas tree
and christmas candles burning.

but he who gets to bethlehem
shall hear the oxen lowing;
and, if he humbly kneel with them,
may catch far trumpets blowing;
from far away, on christmas day,
may hear god’s trumpets blowing.