Bethlehem, what greater city

1 Bethlehem, what greater city
can in fame with you compare?
For the gracious God of heaven
chose to meet our people there.

2 Was there ever beauty brighter
than the star which shone that night
to proclaim the incarnation
of our God, the world's true light?

3 From the East come men of learning,
rich the treasures that they hold
tributes to a greater wisdom,
gifts of incense, myrrh and gold.

4 Sacrifice, redeemer, saviour!
Incense shows that God has come,
gold, our mighty king proclaims him,
myrrh foretells his silent tomb.

5 Jesus Christ, to you be glory,
Lord of lords whom we adore
with the Father and the Spirit:
God be praised for evermore!

O Sola magnarum urbium (Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348 - c. 410), tr. Michael Perry (1942 - 1996)
© Mrs B Perry/Jubilate Hymns
8 7 8 7 Trochaic