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 wondering 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 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.
4
O
holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend
to us, we pray;
Cast
out our sin and enter in
Be
born in us today.
We
hear the Christmas angels
The
great glad tidings tell--
Oh,
come to us, abide with us,
Our
Lord Immanuel!