On Christmas Carols: Little Town

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have spent some time recently pondering the words of Christmas carols.  I would like to share some of that with you.  We hear these songs every year and for years the words drift through our minds for a month or so.  After that they are packed away in the cerebral attic until next year.  I listen to Christmas music all year round. 

Since Things start in Bethlehem we will too.  The words to O Little Town of Bethlehem were penned by Rector Phillips Brooks (1835-1903) in 1868.  He was inspired by the view of Bethlehem from the Palestine hills at night.  Lewis Redner (1831-1908) rendered the music for this song so that the children’s choir could sing it at their church.

I will point out a line or two that is of note to me but mostly I wish to share the lyrics without the background.  Take a moment to drink in the artistry.  As you do I’ll ask you to ponder this: “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”  No one can deny the innocence of a newborn baby.  In that simple totally dependent child rested the hope of all mankind.

Also of note is the last part of verse three. “No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.”  It is only through humility that we find the one who humbled himself to be our salvation.  I do not mean to sound preachy or use too many church words.  What I do intend is to point out that we find Christ through meekness.

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 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 to us today

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell

O come to us, abide with us

Our Lord Emmanuel.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."