The poem which I can neither remember nor forget starts off something like:
If I’d been born in Bethlehem
So many years ago
I might have seen the ***
Passing to and fro
I am fairly confident it is a poem, but perhaps not?
It was definitely part of a Christmas story
From the early 1950s?
If I’d Been Born in Bethlehem, by Joan Gale Thomas.
By Jove, MamaSquirrel, you have found it! What a helpful service this is. Volumes of thanks.
As Mama Squirrel already replied with title and author, just thought I’d add that there is a copy for sale on Amazon.
You’re welcome!