O little town of bethlehem: O little town of Bethlehem,...

O little town of bethlehem:

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie.
Above they deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.


Yet in the dark streets shineth,
The everlasting 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 wondering 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 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 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.