THE CHURCH
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS

(87.87.77) R. C. H. 69

by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER, 1823-95

Once In Royal David's City
"And Jesus Increased in wisdom and stature, And in favour with God and man" Luke. 2:52
Once in royal David's city.
Stood a lowly cattle-shed,
Where a mother laid her Baby
In a manger for His bed-
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.
He came down to earth from heaven
Who is God and Lord of all
And His shelter was a stable,
And His cradle was a stall
With the poor and mean and lowly
Lived on earth our saviour holy.
And through all His wondrous childhos
He would honour and obey,
Love and watch the lowly maiden
In whose gentle arms He lay,
Christian children all must be
Mild, obedient, good as He
For He is our childhood pattern;
Day by Day like us He grew;
He was little, weak, and helpless.
Tears and smiles like us He knew;
And He feeleth for our sadness,
And He shareth in our gladness
And our eyes at best shall see Him
Through His own redeeming love
For that child so dear and gentle.
Is our Lord in heaven above;
And He leads His children on.
To the place where He is gone