Bethlehem, House of David, carrying royal line
Kings were born inside of you by ancient heavenly design
Flocks raised on your hillside, by David, shepherd-king
Heard the music of his harp as praises he would sing

Bethlehem Ephrathah, your name means, “house of bread”
Out of you, came One who, by which multitudes were fed
Christ is a picture of the heavenly manna raining from on high
Coming down to give us life-to suffer, then, to die

Bethlehem, on your grassy hills, the Temple lambs were raised
Protected by the shepherds as the young ones sweetly grazed
As the time of Passover came, they were carefully inspected
Only the best and purest white for sacrifice selected

Bethlehem, on your hills one night, the angel’s praise rang out
“Peace on earth, goodwill to men,” they were heard to shout
The perfect Lamb of God was born-the shepherds came to see
Inspecting the gift that God sent down to die for you and me

Debbie Furey
December 23, 2019

Micah 5:2 – “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me, one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Luke 2:8-20