Lyrics
Verse 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
Verse 2
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
Verse 3
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.
Verse 4
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
O Little Town Of Bethlehem is a Christmas carol that pictures the quiet town on the night Jesus was born. The first verse sees the town lying still beneath silent stars while in the dark streets the everlasting Light shines and the hopes and fears of all the years meet. The second says Christ is born of Mary while mortals sleep and the angels keep watch in wondering love, with morning stars proclaiming the holy birth.
The third verse marvels at how silently the wondrous gift is given, and that meek souls still receive Him, and the last prays that the holy Child of Bethlehem would descend, cast out sin and be born in the heart today, ending with Emmanuel. The scene follows Luke 2:1-14 and Micah 5:2, with John 1:9 on the true light and Matthew 1:23. The gentle wording and slow pace suit a reflective Christmas service.
Related Scripture
- Micah 5:2 A ruler is promised from Bethlehem.
- Luke 2:6-14 Jesus is born in Bethlehem and angels announce Him to the shepherds.
- John 1:9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.