| O Little Town of Bethlehem Words by Phillips Brooks Music by Lewis H. Redner Phillips Brooks, one of 19-century America's best-loved preachers,was ministering to a Philadelphia church when he wrote his now famous verses at Christmastime in 1868. He had journeyed to the Holy Land three years earlier, and the memory was, he said "still singing in his soul." His organist, Lewis Redner, who was professionally a highly successful real-estate broker and on Sundays a leader in the Sunday school, set Brooks' words to music for the children's choir, and "O Little Town of Bethlehem" was subsequently taken up by the rest of the world. Lyrics 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 gather'd 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 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 |