King might miss the guiding star

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.

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.

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.

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.