Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Asia: Vols. XXI–XXIII. 1876–79.

Syria: Bethlehem

The Star of Bethlehem

By Reginald Heber (1783–1826)

BRIGHTEST and best of the sons of the morning,

Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid:

Star of the east, the horizon adorning,

Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining,

Low lies his head with the beasts of the stall;

Angels adore him in slumber reclining,—

Maker, and Monarch, and Saviour of all.

Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,

Odors of Edom, and offerings divine,

Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,

Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,

Vainly with gold would his favor secure;

Richer by far is the heart’s adoration,

Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,

Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;

Star of the east, the horizon adorning,

Guide where our Infant Redeemer is laid.