Across Judea’s storied hills, 
Soft blew the scented air; 
Fair shone the flowers, soft sang the rills,
For it was summer there. 

Resting beside their flocks at night
The Judean shepherds lay, 
When ‘round them shown a lovely light,
More beautiful than day.

And suddenly appeared on high
 A host no man might count; 
They filled the spaces ‘twixt earth and sky,
And thronged each holy mount, 

“Glory to God, on High” they sang,
“Glory to God on High.”
“Peace and Good Will,” the chorus rang.
Through earth and air and sky.

Could I have been a Hebrew maid
On that fair Christmas tide.
And on Judean hills have laid,
My timid flock beside.

And seen that mighty angel host 
Thronging the earth and skies, 
With crowding wings and snowy robes,
And holy lifted eyes,

And heard the angel’s glorious song,
“Peace and Good Will to Men.” 
And seen the light that round them shone,
I had not doubted then.

A mystic star with lovely light
Led the wise men of old,
And when they saw the Holy Child
Their frankincense and gold, 

And fragrant myrrh, they kneeling pound,
A costly offering;
The manger cradled Babe adored, 
And hailed him Lord and King.”

Could I across Chaldean plain
From desert land afar
Have journied with the Magi’s train,
Led by guiding star,

And when that star in beauty hung,
Above the lowly shed.
Where lay the Christ, the Holy Child,
Couched in his manger bed,

Could I with them have entered in
When they their offerings poured, 
I too, had hailed Him, Lord and King,
And kneeling had adored.

Our circling hills are white with snow,
And Winter’s breath is chill,
But the blessed peace of long ago, 
Is in our spirits still.

That star, that like an orient gem
Shone on the brow of night
And over sacred Bethlehem,
Shed its celestial light.

Qn Iudea’s storied hills hath set;
But from the hills of God, 
It floods with radiance yet
The path the Savior trod.

Shine on, Shine on, oh Star of Peace,
Shine on till time is done! 
Oh angel song, increase, increase, 
Till Heaven and Earth are one!