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
And the glory of Christmas is the glory of Christ
And the glory of Christmas is the story of His love
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
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 Christ be welcomed in
Matt Redman - O Little Town (The Glory Of Christmas) (Lyrics And Chords)
O Little Town (The Glory of Christmas) Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
O Little Town (The Glory of Christmas) by Matt Redman: A Deep Dive into the Meaning and Biblical Analysis of the Song
Introduction:
O Little Town (The Glory of Christmas) is a beautiful and powerful Christmas song written and performed by Matt Redman. Let's delve into the lyrics and uncover the deeper truths behind this beloved Christmas hymn.
Verse 1:
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
The song begins by painting a vivid picture of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. It highlights the stillness and tranquility of the town, as the world around it remains oblivious to the significant event about to take place. The mention of the silent stars emphasizes the awe and wonder of this divine moment.
Chorus:
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in Thee tonight
The chorus encapsulates the main message of the song, which is the arrival of the everlasting Light, Jesus Christ, in the midst of darkness. It acknowledges that all the hopes and fears of humanity throughout the ages find their fulfillment and resolution in the birth of Jesus.
Verse 2:
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
This verse focuses on the miraculous birth of Jesus, emphasizing His humanity by mentioning His mother, Mary. It also highlights the heavenly perspective of this event, with angels keeping watch and being filled with wonder and love.
Bridge:
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And peace to men on earth
The bridge expands on the heavenly celebration of Jesus' birth, as the morning stars join in proclaiming the holy birth and offering praises to God. It also speaks of the peace that Jesus brings to humanity.
Verse 3:
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven
This verse reflects on the quiet and humble nature of Jesus' arrival. It emphasizes the miraculous nature of the gift of salvation, as God imparts His blessings to human hearts through the birth of Jesus.
The Meaning and Inspiration behind the Song:
O Little Town (The Glory of Christmas) beautifully captures the essence of the Christmas story and its significance for humanity. The song highlights the contrast between the ordinary and silent town of Bethlehem and the extraordinary and life-changing event of Jesus' birth. It reminds us that in the midst of darkness, the everlasting Light shines, bringing hope, peace, and the blessings of heaven to all who believe.
The inspiration for this song comes from the biblical narrative of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. It draws upon the imagery and themes found in the Gospel accounts of Matthew and Luke. The lyrics resonate with the profound truth that Jesus' birth is a pivotal moment in human history, where the hopes and fears of all generations are met and resolved.
Biblical Analysis:
Now, let's critically analyze whether O Little Town (The Glory of Christmas) aligns with biblical teachings.
The song is firmly rooted in the biblical narrative of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. The mention of Mary as the mother of Christ and the angels keeping watch are consistent with the Gospel accounts. The song also acknowledges Jesus as the Light of the world, which aligns with biblical references such as John 8:12, where Jesus declares Himself as the Light of the world.
Furthermore, the theme of peace is prominent in the song, reflecting the biblical message of Jesus bringing peace to humanity. In Luke 2:14, the angels proclaim, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." This echoes the bridge of the song, where the morning stars proclaim the holy birth and sing praises to God the King, bringing peace to men on earth.
The lyrics also emphasize the wondrous nature of Jesus' birth and the gift of salvation. This resonates with the biblical truth that Jesus' birth was a miraculous event, fulfilling prophecies and bringing salvation to humanity. In Luke 2:10-11, the angel announces to the shepherds, "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."
Conclusion:
O Little Town (The Glory of Christmas) by Matt Redman is a powerful and meaningful Christmas song that captures the essence of the biblical narrative surrounding Jesus' birth. Its lyrics depict the contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary, the darkness and the Light, and the hopes and fears of humanity finding their resolution in the birth of Jesus. The song aligns with biblical teachings, emphasizing the themes of Jesus as the Light of the world, peace, and the wondrous gift of salvation. As we sing this hymn, let us be reminded of the profound significance of Christmas and the hope and joy that Jesus brings to our lives.
