O Little Town of Bethlehem

Verse 1

1. O little town of BethlehemMicah 5:2But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you one will come out for me to be ruler in Israel, one whose origins go back to the distant past, to ancient days.
2. How still we see thee lieBeyond The poet’s picture. The Bible does not describe the town that night.
3. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
4. The silent stars go by
5. Yet in thy dark streets shinethIsaiah 9:2The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light; on those who live in the land of the shadow of death a light has shone.
6. The everlasting LightJohn 8:12Again Jesus spoke to them, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
7. The hopes and fears of all the yearsLuke 2:25In Jerusalem there was a man by the name of Simeon. He was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s comfort, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
8. Are met in thee tonight

Verse 2

1. For Christ is born of MaryMatthew 1:16Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, and from her was born Jesus, who is called the Messiah.
2. And gathered all above
3. While mortals sleep, the angels keepLuke 2:8There were shepherds in that same area who were staying out in the open country, standing guard over their flock through the night.Beyond Luke’s shepherds were awake, standing guard over their flock through the night.
4. Their watch of wondering love
5. O morning stars, togetherJob 38:7as the morning stars sang out together and all the sons of God raised a joyful shout?
6. Proclaim the holy birth
7. And praises sing to God the KingLuke 2:13All at once there was with the angel a vast crowd of heaven’s army, praising God and saying,
8. And peace to men on earthLuke 2:14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people in whom he delights!”

Verse 3

1. How silently, how silentlyBeyond The Bible says nothing about the sound of the birth.
2. The wondrous gift is given2 Corinthians 9:15Thanks be to God for his gift, which is beyond words!
3. So God imparts to human heartsEphesians 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in Christ has blessed us in the heavenly places with every spiritual blessing,
4. The blessings of his heaven
5. No ear may hear his coming
6. But in this world of sin
7. Where meek souls will receive him stillJohn 1:12But to all who received him he gave the authority to become God’s children—to those who believe in his name,
8. The dear Christ enters inRevelation 3:20Look, I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to them and share a meal with them, and they with me.

Verse 4

1. O holy Child of BethlehemLuke 1:35The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. That is why the holy child to be born will be called Son of God.
2. Descend to us, we pray
3. Cast out our sin, and enter in1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous: he will forgive our sins and make us clean from every kind of unrighteousness.
4. Be born in us todayGalatians 4:19My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
5. We hear the Christmas angelsLuke 2:10The angel told them, “Do not be afraid, for look, I am proclaiming to you good news of great joy that will belong to all the people:
6. The great glad tidings tell
7. O come to us, abide with usJohn 15:4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch is not able to bear fruit on its own unless it remains in the vine, and in the same way you cannot unless you remain in me.
8. Our Lord EmmanuelMatthew 1:23“Look, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,” which means “God with us.”