Inspirations

I recently attended a Christmas Eve service and was overwhelmed with all the beautiful carols we sang.  It was the first time I really thought about the words that we were singing.  A lot different then the contempory lyrics we sing in church today. I decided to do some research on them.  I enjoyed learning about the song writers, what inspired  them to write the songs and how old some of the carols are.  O'Little Town of Bethlehem, a worldwide favorite, was written by Phillips Brooks in 1874. It was inspired by a trip he took to Bethlehem and written for the Sunday school children to sing at his church.  The melody was composed by his church organist who believed that the melody was given to him by God.

Here are the words to the carol. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

 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.

2 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.

3 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.

Wishing you a great holiday and a blessed new year !