O Little Town of Bethlehem | Songs and Everlasting Joy

Phillips Brooks, on a visit to the Holy Land in 1865, toured Bethlehem and the surrounding area on Christmas Eve. As he saw the location, a carol began to form in his mind. However, he did not write it down until several years later. When he did write the poem, he gave it to the organist of the church at which he was a minister, Lewis Henry Redner. Redner fell asleep on Christmas Eve and woke suddenly with the tune ringing in his ears. He wrote it down quickly and then finished it the next morning. It was first sung on December 27, 1868.

Bethlehem was long set apart as the birthplace for the Redeemer of the world. So small, quiet and unassuming, it fulfilled its role in history. May the Lord be born in us daily, hourly and minutely as He was born in Bethlehem all those years ago.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Verse 1
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

Verse 2
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!

Verse 3
How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.

Verse 4
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!