The Celebration Hymnal

250

O Little Town of Bethlehem

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.  

2 For Christ is born of Mary,  
And gathered all above,  
While mortals sleep the angels keep  
Their watch of wond'ring love.  
O morning stars together  
Proclaim the holy birth;  
And praises sing to God, the King,  
And peace to men on earth.  

3 How silently, how silently  
The wondrous Gift is giv'n!  
So God imparts to human hearts  
The blessings of His heav'n.  
No ear may hear His coming,  
But in this world of sin,  
Where meek souls will receive Him still,  
The dear Christ enters in.  

4 O holy Child of Bethlehem,  
Descend on 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.

WORDS: Phillips Brooks
MUSIC: Lewis H. Redner
Theme: Christ: Birth