Oh, who are these that throng the way To Bethlehem, to Bethlehem,
And onward press in glad array, All on a Christmas morning?
Good Christian men and maids they are From countries near and lands afar,
Allured by yonder beck’ning star, all on a Christmas Morning.
What do they hasten thence to see In Bethlehem, in Bethlehem,
That they fare forth so merrily, All on a Christmas morning?
Oh, they a vision fair would view, Would find the beautiful and true,
And faith and hope and love renew, All on a Christmas morning.
And what is this they’re carrying To Bethlehem, to Bethlehem,
What is it in their arms they bring, all on a Christmas morning?
They bear good gifts in rich excess Of love and joy and thankfulness,
With which mankind they fain would bless, All on a Christmas morning.
This is the second of three Alfred Burt carols that Carolers of Note has in its repertoire. It is probably the least popular of the three with the group (though its popularity is quite polar — often either like or hate). It is slower, more contemplative,
The lyric is more “traditional”, envisioning common people of all nations flocking to Bethlehem to participate — we all join in the pageantry. This isn’t something meant to be a spectator sport. As I said, “traditional.” Today we live in the “perform for us” age. Even in church, in worship, others perform for us, instead of lead us. And it is that traditional sentiment that I find allures me to this song, in the same way that the pilgrims of this song are allured by the star.
Note that in the second verse talks about what they seek, and the third verse talks about what they bring. I find these lists interesting:
1) They seek a vision — to find the beautiful and true, which faith and hope and love renew
2) They bring gifts in right excess — of love and joy and thankfulness, with which to bless mankind
They bring gifts to the child, but they bring them to bless mankind. Something to ponder.
Something about these Christmas carols — so many of the lyrics focus us on things besides ourselves, by focusing us on the child, and by focusing on the child, we get out of ourselves and become a blessing to others. Traditional Christmas takes us outside ourselves.
At The Rainbow 