O Chief of Cities Bethlehem
Words: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius
Translated by Nathaniel Barratt Smithers and Charles Winfred Douglas and John Patrick Crichton-Stuart Marquess of Bute, 1879
Music: PUER NOBIS NASCITUR, Michael Praetorius, 1609
O chief of cities, Bethlehem,
Of David's crown the fairest gem,
But more to us than David's name,
In you, as man, the Savior came.
Beyond the sun in splendor bright,
Above you stands a wondrous light
Proclaiming from the conscious skies
That here, in flesh, the Godhead lies.
The wise men, seeing Him so fair,
Bow low before Him, and with prayer
Their treasured eastern gifts unfold
Of incense, myrrh, and royal gold.
The golden tribute owns Him King,
But frankincense to God they bring,
And last, prophetic sign, with myrrh,
They shadow forth His sepulcher.
O Jesus, whom the Gentiles see,
With Father, Spirit, One in Three:
To You, O God, be glory giv'n
By saints on earth and saints in Heav'n.