The Church of Christ does not observe Christmas as a religious holiday because the only "holy day" authorized in the New Testament is the first day of the week (in my childhood often referred to as "the Lord's day"). The birth of Christ is part of the New Testament narrative, so our church hymnals and songbooks did include songs usually associated with the traditional holiday, but we didn't usually sing them on or near the appropriate season. (However, we hardly ever sang them any other time, either.)
The original lyrics of this song have been somewhat edited in our Church of Christ songbooks, for specific points of doctrinal dissent. (*sigh*) I have noted those changes in the lyrics below.
1
On the brow of night there shines a silver star,
On the brow of night there shines a silver star,
And the wise men gaze on its heav’nly rays,
Till they find the King, whose throne they sought afar,
In the Babe of Bethlehem.
2
’Tis the lamp of God high hanging in the air,
’Tis the lamp of God high hanging in the air,
And it guides our feet thro’ the royal street;
There is sweet soul-rest for those who seek it there,
From the Babe of Bethlehem.
3
Bring your gifts of gold, of frankincense and myrrh,
Bring your gifts of gold, of frankincense and myrrh,
For the King we own is on David’s throne;
Let the holy Child* your best affections stir;
[*PRIEST AND KING]
’Tis the Babe of Bethlehem.
Refrain
Silver star, holy light,
Shine afar, o’er the night,
Till the world shall come where the young Child lay*,
[*FROM ITS SIN-STAINED WAY]
And enter the gates of the newborn day.
Author: D. K. En
Tune: Horatio Richmond Palmer
Matthew 2
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
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