Star of the East

Summary


"Star of the East" is a Christmas poem that calls on the guiding star of Bethlehem to lead the faithful toward the Christ child once more. Eugene Field weaves a mood of quiet reverence and longing, asking the star to light the world's darkest places with grace and charity. The speaker urges readers to bring their hearts as offerings to the King in Bethlehem, framing the nativity not as distant history but as a living, personal invitation to hope.

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Star of the East, that long ago
Brought wise men on their way
Where, angels singing to and fro,
The Child of Bethlehem lay —
Above that Syrian hill afar
Thou shinest out to-night, O Star!

Three wise men following the Star of the East toward Bethlehem, illustrating Eugene Field's Christmas poem.

To seek that manger out and lay
Our gifts before the child —
To bring our hearts and offer them
Unto our King in Bethlehem!

Star of the East, the night were drear
But for the tender grace
That with thy glory comes to cheer
Earth’s loneliest, darkest place;
For by that charity we see
Where there is hope for all and me.

Star of the East! show us the way
In wisdom undefiled
To seek that manger out and lay
Our gifts before the child —
To bring our hearts and offer them
Unto our King in Bethlehem!

Credits

Eugene Field was a beloved 19th-century American poet and journalist, widely known as the "Poet of Childhood" for his tender verse. "Star of the East" reflects his gift for devotional simplicity, turning the nativity story into an intimate, lyrical call to faith.