On Christmas eve in Bethlehem
The angel host above
Brought tidings to a burdened world
Of God's all-present love;
And daily still, and hourly,
In listening hearts and true
The angel messengers are heard
And Love revealed anew.
Beside the Sea of Galilee,
Above the stormy wave,
The living presence of the Christ
Was strong to heal and save;
And in this day and in this hour,
Wherever there is need,
The same dear Christ is here and near
To save and heal and lead.
Among the hills of Bethany,
Where women mourned their dead,
Their friend denied the lie of death
And gave them life instead;
And still to many a grieving heart
The living Truth is known
That lights the darkened sepulcher
And gives us back our own.
The Holy Land of long ago
Saw Christ, or Truth, revealed;
And those who sorrowed came to seek,
And those who sought were healed.
And still we only have to reach
To touch Christ's healing hand;
To every seeking heart God speaks:
Here is our Holy Land.
