When Joseph Went to Bethlehem Flip Chart & Lyrics

If you’re looking for a wonderful Christmas song that focus on Joseph’s story of the Nativity, you’ll love teaching When Joseph Went to Bethlehem (archives)! It’s a beautiful song that’s not too difficult to teach.

It’s a big decision to pick out your Christmas Primary Songs for the year. There are just SO many really wonderful, beautiful, meaningful songs to pick from. It’s so hard to pick just a couple with the time you have.

If you’re still looking for which songs to teach, make sure you visit this post with 100+ LDS Primary Christmas Songs! This is a full list with tons of songs to pick from including my favorites to help you decide.

When Joseph Went to Bethlehem Flip Chart

I’m excited to be adding a bunch of Christmas songs to my huge list of Singing Time Flip Charts! I’m working my way through all of the suggested Primary songs for Come Follow Me.

There is some mixed opinions on if Primary music leaders should use flip charts in Singing Time. I like to use them when first introducing the song or if we’re not focused on memorizing the song lyrics for the Program to take off all the pressure. You can see more on how I use flip charts in Primary.

Plus, you’ll love this post full of all my favorite tips and tricks for using flip charts for singing time! I have some hacks to make them easier to use and make the most of them, while still focusing on your singing time activities.

When Joseph Went to Bethlehem Lyrics

This song is published in the Children’s Songbook Page #38
You can find Joseph Went to Bethlehem sheet music here.

Verse 1:

When Joseph went to Bethlehem, I think he took great care
To place his tools and close his shop and leave no shavings there.
He urged the donkey forward then, with Mary on its back,
And carried bread and goat cheese in a little linen sack.

Verse 2:

I think there at the busy inn that he was meek and mild
And awed to be the guardian of Mary’s sacred child.
Perhaps all through the chilly hours he smoothed the swaddling bands,
And Jesus felt the quiet strength of Joseph’s gentle hands.

Verse 3:

And close beside the manger bed, he dimmed the lantern’s light
And held the little Jesus close upon that holy night.

“When Joseph Went to Bethlehem” words by Bessie Saunders Spencer (1898–1989) music by I. Reed Payne (1930–2009) © 1960, 1977 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Used by Permission.

When Joseph Went to Bethlehem Art Flip Chart

You’ll bring this song to life with these adorable illustrations that were designed specifically to fit the lyrics of this song. This When Joseph Went to Bethlehem flip chart option includes both portrait and landscape, color and black and white, and a condensed and normal spacing to let you pick the style that best fits your Primary’s needs. Plus, a slideshow for a print-free option!

You can find this When Joseph Went to Bethlehem Art Flip chart in my shop. It is also available in my Etsy store here.

When Joseph Went to Bethlehem
Singing Time Flip Chart

This colorful and engaging flip chart for When Joseph Went to Bethlehem is easy to use. My format is all about using less pages so you’re not stumbling through tons of pages while trying to lead an activity. I hope you love this layout as much as I do!

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When Joseph Went to Bethlehem
Simple Flip Chart Printable

For those that may need an easier to print option with just the lyrics, I also have this black and white landscape flip chart. This option is great for tossing over the podium to have the words for those who need them without focusing on the flipchart!

When Joseph Went to Bethlehem
Slideshow Flip Chart

Another wonderful option is our slideshow flip chart full of colors and bold images and oriented for your screen! It can be connected to a TV or projector to have the words available while being completely hands free for directing your activity!

For a fun way to teach this song, head over to see this When Joseph Went to Bethlehem Hand Actions singing time idea.

Have any feedback about my When Joseph Went to Bethlehem flip chart? Let me know in the comments!