I May Not Go Tonight to Bethlehem

I may not go to­night to Beth­le­hem

Nor fol­low star-di­rect­ed ways

nor tread

The paths where­in the shep­herds walked

that led

To Christ

and peace

and God’s good will to men.

I may not hear the her­ald an­gel’s song

Peal through the ori­ent­al skies

nor see

The won­der of that heav­en­ly com­pa­ny

Announce the King the world had wait­ed long.

The man­ger throne I may not kneel be­fore

Or see how man to God is re­con­ciled

Through pure St. Ma­ry’s pur­er

ho­li­er Child;

The hu­man Christ these eyes may not adore.

I may not car­ry frank­in­cense and myrrh

With ad­or­ation to the Ho­ly One;

Nor gold have I to give the per­fect Son

To be with those wise kings a wor­ship­er.

Not mine the joy that Heav­en sent to them

For ag­es since time swung and locked his gates

But I may kneel with­out—the star still waits

To guide me on to ho­ly Beth­le­hem.