The scene is 1865 in Israel. The well-respected Boston rector Reverend Phillips Brooks is on a horseback journey from Jerusalem to the little town of Bethlehem to assist with the midnight Christmas Eve service. As he begins to descend upon the city of David, he is captivated by the humble serenity of the birthplace of God Almighty.
He wrote, “I remember standing in the old church in Bethlehem, close to the spot where Jesus was born, when the whole church was ringing hour after hour with splendid hymns of praise to God, how again and again it seemed as if I could hear voices I knew well, telling each other of the Wonderful Night of the Savior’s birth.”
Inspired by this paradoxical scene, Reverend Brooks penned words to one of the most beloved carols of all time. One year later, his organist Lewis Redner set the lyrics of O Little Town of Bethlehem to music for Trinity Church Boston’s Christmas Eve Service in 1869. Our prayer is that as we surrender our lives in charity and faith to the Light of the World, we would see that the dark night wakes, the glory breaks and Christmas comes once more in us.
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.
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.
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!