This beautiful carol was written in about 1868 by Phillip Brooks after he had visited Bethlehem. Today Bethlehem is anything but peaceful, but the words are classic and eternal and remind us that there will be a time when peace will come to all the world when Emmanuel (which means “God with us”) rules:

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

Here is a short video about playing it on the piano:

You can also watch it on our website at https://www.playpiano.com/OLittleTownOfBethlehem
And also directly on my YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0-pXGwXa3Q

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