Hymns for Today's Church (2nd ed.) ‎#88a

88a. O little town of Bethlehem

1 O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see you lie!
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by:
yet in your dark streets shining
is everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in you 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 all on earth.

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.

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
• Author: P. Brooks (1835-1893)
• Meter: 8 6 8 6 D (DCM)
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Topic: Christmas 1: The Incarnation; God, Saviour: Born (Christmas Seasonal)

Tune Information

• Name: FOREST GREEN
• Arranger: R. Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
• Meter: 8 6 8 6 D (DCM)
• Copyright: arr. © Oxford University Press
• Notes: Alternative tune: CHRISTMAS CAROL (88b)