O little town of Bethlehem

Alt. mel.:


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. 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!

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. Where children pure and happy
pray to the blessèd Child,
where misery
cries out to Thee,
Son of the mother mild;
where charity stands watching
and faith holds wide the door,
the dark night wakes,
the glory breaks,
and Christmas comes once more.

5. O holy Child of Bethlehem,

descend to us, we pray;

cast out our sin,

and enter in:

be born in us to-day.

We hear the Christmas angels

the great glad tidings tell:

o come to us,

abide with us,

our Lord Emmanuel!