Poem December 18, 1902 Issue

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Phillips Brooks

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 to-night.

O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God, the King,
And peace to men on earth.

For Christ is born of Mary,
And gathered all above,

While mortals sleep the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.

How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessing of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
When 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 to-day.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!

Bishop Phillips Brooks.

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The Lectures
December 18, 1902
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