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 ever lasting light;
|
The hopes and fears of all the years
|
Are met in thee tonight.
|
|
For Christ is born of Mary,
|
And gathered all above,
|
While mortals sleep the angels keep
|
Their watch of wond'ring love.
|
O morning stars together,
|
Proclaim the holy birth,
|
And praises sing to God the King,
|
And peace to men on earth.
|
|
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.
|
|
O holy child of Bethlehem,
|
Descend to us, we pray;
|
Cast out our sin, and enter in,
|
Be born in us today.
|
We heard the Christmas angels
|
The great glad tidings tell;
|
O come to us, abide with us,
|
Our Lord Emmanuel.
|
|
-----------------
|
O Little Town of Bethlehem
|
| John McDermott |
