Bethlehem of noblest cities    

1) Bethlehem, a noble city,
has been blessed beyond compare,
for the gracious God of heaven
once became incarnate there.

2) Fairer than the sun at morning
was the star that told his birth,
to the world its God announcing,
seen in human form on earth.

3) From the east came men of wisdom
bringing treasures prized of old,
tributes to a greater wisdom,
gifts of incense, myrrh, and gold.

4) Sacred gifts of mystic meaning:
incense shows that God has come,
gold proclaims him king of nations,
myrrh foretells his saving tomb.

5) Holy Jesus, in your brightness
to the gentile world displayed,
with the Father and the Spirit
endless praise to you be paid.