O Little Town of Bethlehem

Christmas Carol Words and Lyrics

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 to-night.

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.

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.

Where children pure and happy
Pray to the blessed Child,
Where misery cries out to thee,
Son of the mother mild;
Where charity stands watching
And faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks,
And Christmas comes once more.

O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us to-day.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!

About This Calming Christmas Hymn

O Little Town of Bethlehem is a tender Christmas carol written in 1868 by Phillips Brooks, an American Episcopal minister who later became the Bishop of Massachusetts. Brooks had recently returned from a trip to the Holy Land, where he visited Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Standing in the quiet village as night settled over the ancient streets left a deep impression on him. That peaceful moment inspired the carol’s serene imagery and heartfelt message.

Brooks wrote the lyrics for the children of his church in Philadelphia, hoping to capture the quiet wonder he had felt during his travels. His organist, Lewis Redner, composed the melody. Redner later recounted that he struggled to find the right tune until the night before the Christmas program. He claimed he awoke with the melody in his mind as if it had been gifted to him. That simple, flowing tune has carried the carol ever since.

The hymn's tone is one of gentle stillness. It contrasts the peaceful Bethlehem scene with the profound significance of Christ's birth. Rather than focusing on angels or grand announcements, the carol highlights the humble setting and the quiet arrival of hope into a weary world. This emphasis on reflection is part of what makes it such a beloved addition to Christmas Eve services.

In the United States, the carol is usually sung to Redner's tune, St. Louis. In the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries, it is often paired with the folk like melody Forest Green, arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Each melody brings its own charm, but both highlight the carol's gentle reverence.

Today, O Little Town of Bethlehem remains a cherished favorite for church choirs, families, and anyone who appreciates the peaceful side of Christmas. Its timeless message of hope shining quietly into the world continues to resonate across generations.

Moving Performance Video featuring Nat King Cole

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