Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New ‎#508b

508b. 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 O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to all the earth;
For Christ is born of Mary;
and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wond'ring love.

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 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.

Text Information

• First Line: O little town of Bethlehem
• Title: O little town of Bethlehem
• Author: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893 (alt.)
• Meter: DCM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2000
• Scripture:
  Job 38:7-11
  ;
  Luke 2:13-14
  ;
  Matthew 1:23
• Topic: Christmas; Years A, B, and C: Christmas Day

Tune Information

• Name: CHRISTMAS CAROL
• Composer: Henry Walford Davies, 1869=1941
• Meter: DCM
• Key: F Major
• Copyright: © Oxford University Press