1 Once in Bethlehem of Judah,
Far away across the sea,
There was laid a little Baby
On a Virgin Mother's knee.
Refrain:
O Saviour, gentle Saviour!
Hear Thy little children sing,
The God of our salvation,
The Child that is our King.
2 It was not a stately palace
Where that little Baby lay,
With His servants to attend Him,
And with guards to keep the way. [Refrain]
3 But the oxen stood around Him
In a stable, low and dim:
In the world He had created
There was not a room for Him!
O Saviour, gentle Saviour, &c.
4 For He left His Father's glory,
And the golden halls above,
And He took our human nature
In the greatness of His love. [Refrain]
5 Of His infinite compassion
He can feel our want and woe;
For He suffered, He was tempted,
When He lives our life below. [Refrain]
6 Still His childhood's bright example
Gives a light to our poor homes;
From the blood of His atoning
Still our hope of pardon comes. [Refrain]
7 Still He stands and pleads in heaven
For us, weak and sin defiled, -
God, who is a man for ever.
Jesus, who was once a Child! [Refrain]
Amen.
Source: Voices of Praise: for school and church and home #52