1) How far is it to Bethlehem?
Not very far.
Shall we find the stable room
Lit by a star?
Can
we see the little child
Is he within?
If we lift the wooden latch
May we go in?
2) May we stroke the creatures there
Ox, ass, or sheep?
May we peep like them and see
Jesus
asleep?
If we touch his tiny hand
Will he awake?
Will he know we've come so far
Just for his sake?
3) Great kings have precious gifts
And we have naught
Little smiles and little tears
Are
all we brought.
For all weary children
Mary must weep
Here, on his bed of straw
Sleep, children, sleep.
God in his mother's arms
Babes in the byre
Sleep, as they sleep who find
Their heart's
desire.
