The Cyber Hymnal ‎#3548

3548. A King Might Miss the Guiding Star

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

Text Information

• First Line: A king might miss the guiding star
• Title: A King Might Miss the Guiding Star
• Author: Louis F. Benson (1921)
• Meter: 87.87.87
• Language: English
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tunes: BLAGDON, Charles E. Stephens, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1889; DISMISSAL, William L. Viner, 1845

Tune Information

• Name: BIS WILKOMMEN
• Composer: Johann Christian Kittel (1790)
• Meter: 87.87.87
• Incipit: 13517 12213 27665
• Key: G Major
• Copyright: Public Domain