O little town of Bethlehem

• Job 38:7 (hymns)
• Isaiah 7:14 (hymns)
• Micah 5:2-5 (hymns)
• Micah 6:2-3 (hymns)
• Matthew 1:18-25 (hymns)
• Matthew 2:1-12 (hymns)
• Luke 1:68-75 (hymns)
• Luke 2:1-20 (hymns)
• John 1:9-12 (hymns)
• John 3:16 (hymns)
• John 8:12 (hymns)
• Ephesians 3:16-19 (hymns)
• Titus 2:12 (hymns)
• Titus 2:14 (hymns)

• Year B, Advent, Third Sunday
• Year B, Christmas season, Holy Name of Jesus (Mary, Mother of God)
• Year B, Epiphany season, Fourth Sunday
• Year C, Advent, Third Sunday

Text:

The hymn focuses on the relative silence of the birth of Christ – Bethlehem was just a little town, and only a few people paid attention to the event. The heraldic chorus of angels is minimized in the lines

“While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.”

Tune:

There are two tunes in common use with this text, and some hymnals include both. ST. LOUIS was commissioned by Brooks for the text in 1868 from the organist for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Lewis Redner. Redner delayed composing the tune until the night before it was to be sung for the first time, on December 27, 1868. He later wrote, “Neither Mr. Brooks nor I ever thought the carol or the music to it would live beyond that Christmas of 1868.” However, this tune and text pairing has lasted over one hundred forty years, and is one of the best-loved American Christmas hymns. Though the origin of the name of the tune is unclear, it was probably named after the composer by the publisher of The Church Porch of 1874, where this hymn was first published (with “Lewis” altered to “Louis”).

The other tune, FOREST GREEN is an English folk tune transcribed and arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1903. It first appeared in the English Hymnal in 1906 with this text. It was originally named “The Ploughboy’s Dream,” but Vaughan Williams named it after the village of Forest Green in Surrey, where he first heard it. This tune is more common in the UK.

When/Why/How:

This hymn is suitable for the Advent and Christmas seasons. It was originally written for children, but is used by Christians of all ages. The peaceful mood of the tune ST. LOUIS may be used to introduce or conclude a time of silent prayer. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is an arrangement for choir and piano accompaniment with varying choral textures. “Christmas Carol Fest III” contains a handbell arrangement that can be used as an instrumental piece or to accompany singing. “O Come to the Manger” combines this hymn set to FOREST GREEN with the German children's carol, “O Come, Little Children,” employing men's voices and a children's choir with piano and flute accompaniment. Either tune may be used in a festive arrangement, such as “Hymn Introductions and Descants for Trumpet and Organ – Set 3,” which contains a setting of FOREST GREEN.

Tiffany Shomsky
Hymnary.org