You help make Hymnary.org possible.

In 2025, more than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources, and encouragement here. If Hymnary has meant something to you this year, would you take a moment to help sustain it? A gift of any size — and a note of encouragement, if you'd like to share one — directly supports the server costs, research, and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org (c/o Calvin University)
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for being part of this important online ministry resource.

Click here to donate to Hymnary.org I have already donated. Please don't show this to me again
Text:In Bethlehem a Newborn Boy
Author:Rosamond E. Herklots
Tune:IN BETHLEHEM
Composer:Wilbur Held
Media:Audio recording

153. In Bethlehem a Newborn Boy

You can view this hymn by purchasing an instrument edition of the hymnal in our Glory to God mobile app.

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

Due to copyright restrictions, we cannot display this hymn on our website or provide printable copies of it.

Text Information
First Line: In Bethlehem, a newborn boy
Title: In Bethlehem a Newborn Boy
Author: Rosamond E. Herklots (1969, alt.)
Meter: LM
Language: English
Publication Date: 2013
Scripture:
Topic: Christian Year: Nativity/Christmas; Christian Year: Epiphany; Jesus Christ: Birth
Copyright: © 1981 Oxford University Press
Tune Information
Name: IN BETHLEHEM
Composer: Wilbur Held (1983)
Meter: LM
Key: a minor
Copyright: © 1983 Wilbur Held
Notes: Guitar chords do not correspond with keyboard harmony.


Text Information:

The Slaughter of the Innocents (Matthew 2:16–18) is not an event we like to think about, but this text shows how it connects to the ongoing suffering of parents and children in our world today. Only the love that led Christ to the cross can bear the weight of such human anguish.


Media
Audio recording: Audio (MP3)
More media are available on the tune authority page.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.